Top Ten Controversial Shale Topics
1. High noise levels from dynamite or during Vibroesis mounted on thumper trucks will damage people’s health or hearing.
Landowners can assume normal noise levels in a neighborhood at 55 decibels, unless well operators provide documentation of a higher level. Township officials would require a noise mitigation plan if well operators exceed it by 7 decibels during daytime hours, 5 decibels during nighttime hours or 10 decibels during the process known as “fracking” to extract natural gas. Landowners want to know they are protected from these high frequency sounds for themselves, and for surrounding farmland.
2. Since the vibratory levels are high, the logical conclusion is that these high vibrations will damage the land or buildings on the land surface.
The best option for landowners is to make sure that their lease indicates an accidental damage plan. If drilling damages the land or buildings nearby the well, the drilling company will be held responsible based on what verbiage is in the lease. As a landowner, you want reassurance and guarantees that high vibratory levels will not damage land or structures (buildings, businesses, homes).
3. Dynamite placed 20-feet down will create underground and surface instability.
Again, the best option for a landowner is to have accidental damages covered in the signed lease. Make sure to discuss this with an experienced attorney before signing any paperwork. Landowners should have protection against accidental injury or damage from dynamite charges. A clause in the lease should state that dynamite will not damage the ground surface, landscape, or livelihoods of the residents.
4. Use of hydraulic “fracking” will lead to permanent changes underground.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel used to generate electricity, it’s in a distant second place behind coal. However, with new domestic gas sources—much of it made available thanks to hydraulic fracturing—that could all change. Because fluid injection changes seismic dynamics underground, studies show fracking has the potential to set off minor quakes.
Landowners want to understand how scientists and geologists know, without a doubt, that creating lines underground won’t result in damaging, unseen effects underground.
5. Because large amounts of ground water are pumped into drill sites to extract the gas, this will deplete precious ground water supplies.
Some studies show that once the water is taken out of the hydrological cycle, it is never used again. One of the biggest challenges in the fracking process is the amount of water used to extract the natural gas. Landowners should want the huge amounts of water used from the surface to be recycled, rather than bringing in new water.
6. Using additives made of glass, polystyrene, and ceramic to keep frac lines open will contaminate underground water supplies.
Drilling companies are not required to disclose the chemicals used for hydraulic fracking. However, many studies show that water contamination is prominent in areas where wells are located. Landowners want to understand how the experts know, without a doubt, that additives such as glass, polystyrene, and ceramic will NOT contaminate underground water supplies. Again, no research has been performed to successfully back up the theory that fracking causes water contamination. Landowners want to feel a sense of security and want to know that their children and following generations will have safe water.
7. Higher truck traffic, with heavier truck loads, will damage the roads and cause undue congestion.
This is also something that should be covered in the lease when the landowner signs the initial agreement. Roads can be damaged in the fracking process, but the drilling company should cover the cost of any damage – as disclosed in the lease. With taxes already being high, families/landowners want the public roads protected from damage They certainly don’t want to pay for road repairs due to increased truck traffic, with larger and heavier trucks.
8. Concern because Marcellus Shale is slightly radioactive.
Wastewater that has been tested by Marcellus Shale wells has been found to be radioactive. Landowners want to know how dangerous this radioactivity is and how it is going to affect their health and family.
9. Presence of drilling equipment and drilling derrick, or permanent well derrick, will lower the property values.
Landowners currently fear that drilling in their area would lower the property value of their house and neighborhood. Some find Marcellus drilling unattractive and, therefore, wouldn’t consider purchasing land anywhere near the drilling well. Landowners need reassurance and guarantee that derricks and all the activities associated with drilling will not affect property values. On the other hand, the lure and incentives of signing a lucrative drilling lease appear attractive to many residents who feel the lease payments will offset any downturn in their housing assessment.
10. Most people never heard of the technology until recently, and anything “new” is bound to create fears.
It is best for landowners considering drilling to make themselves well educated with Marcellus Shale. Landowners want information and facts so they can make informed and educated decisions based on more than opinions. Most people are often surprised to learn the technology has been around so long and are then more open to hearing more facts and details. Again, it is very much suggested that landowners get in touch with an attorney who has experience in this field. With so much legal paperwork and terms, it is sometimes hard to read “between the lines.”
