https://www.ecowatch.com/fracking-study-texas-2444450646.html
Fracking Study Links Pollution, Earthquakes to Drilling in Texas Shale
[again]
Lorraine Chow EcoWatch June 19, 2017
A new analysis of Texas' oil and gas development underscores how there
really are two sides to the energy debate. We know that drilling has
brought the state billions in wealth, but its vast impacts on the
environment cannot be ignored.
The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST)—the
state's top scientific community—has released a comprehensive,
peer-reviewed report today analyzing the wide-ranging environmental,
economic and social impacts of shale oil and gas production in the Lone
Star State.
"This study aims to help us better understand what is and is not known
about the impacts of shale oil and gas development in Texas and it
offers recommendations for future research priorities," the report states.
The 204-page Shale Task Force report was compiled by representatives
from academia, environmental organizations, the oil and gas industry,
and state agencies with a focus on six key areas: seismicity, land, air,
water, transportation and economic and social impacts.
Citing the report, the Houston Chronicle noted that the shale boom has
contributed to the state's economic gains but has also "degraded natural
resources, overwhelmed small communities and even boosted the frequency
and severity of traffic collisions as workers and equipment rush to oil
fields."
The report also reveals that people living in shale communities feel
conflicted over the oil and gas industry. They like its benefits to
local, regional and state economies but dislike the impacts on traffic,
public safety, environmental concerns and noise. For instance, the
report calculated that rural crashes involving commercial vehicles have
increased more than 75 percent in some drilling regions in Texas. Also,
road damage from oil and gas operations in Texas costs an estimated $1.5
to $2 billion a year
Although Texas has not experienced as many human-induced-earthquakes as
Oklahoma, according to the report, Texas recorded only two earthquakes a
year before 2008. Since then, there have been 12-15 a year. Some of the
earthquakes have been linked to wastewater disposal from oil and gas
operations.
As for water usage, the report's authors found that while hydraulic
fracturing, or fracking, uses 1-5 million gallons of water per well on
average, accounting for less than 1 percent of total statewide water
use, it could still account for 90 percent of total water use in some
rural counties.
"Even though the overall amount of water used for hydraulic fracturing
processes in Texas is low, there are areas within the state where the
amount used is much more important and will be of more concern," said
Danny Reible, a professor at Texas Tech University and member of the
task force.
EcoWatch reached out to Sandra Steingraber, a biologist, author and
founding member of Concerned Health Professionals of New York, to get
her take on the study. She said:
The findings of the exhaustive, 204-page analysis from the Texas Academy
of Medicine, Engineering and Science boil down to this: drilling and
fracking operations bring temporary prosperity to a few and serious
health and safety risks to many. The TAMES report makes clear that in
Texas—as everywhere else—wherever fracking goes, it brings along toxic
air pollution, depleted and contaminated water sources, earthquakes,
traffic accidents, soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions. These
results corroborate those of peer-reviewed reports from other
independent expert groups, including Concerned Health Professionals of
New York, of which I'm a member.
And yet, in its recommendations, the TAMES report is overly tame.
Perhaps not surprisingly in a state so deeply invested in fossil fuel
extraction, the academy's suggestions for further monitoring and data
collection fall far short of what's needed to protect communities,
wildlife and the climate from ongoing damage. The unstated assumption
seems to be that gas and oil extraction is simply an unchangeable fact
of life to which we all must accommodate. It's not. And monitoring harm
is not the same as preventing it. Rachel Carson said it best, when she
reminded us that, when confronted with evidence of senseless and
frightening risks, "we should no longer accept the counsel of those who
tell us that we must fill our world with poisonous chemicals; we should
look about and see what other course is open to us." That course is 100
percent wind, water and solar power.
Renowned filmmaker Josh Fox also commented on the study. Fox told EcoWatch:
"This study is a typical oil and gas industry greenwash. There is no
such thing as a sustainable approach to fracking because the very first
thing that we need to do in creating a sustainable future is eliminate
fossil fuels. Fracking is inherently contaminating and polluting to air
and water and the practice perpetuates the use of climate change
inducing fossil fuels.
"The oil and gas industry pours money into this kind of propaganda dog
and pony show so that it can appear to be 'responsible' but no amount of
PR can clean up the mess they have left in Texas and around the world.
The only truly sustainable conclusion for such a report would be to ban
fracking and phase out fossil fuels as soon as possible in favor of
renewable energy."
Here are some key highlights from the report:
Geology and Earthquake Activity
The majority of known faults present in Texas are stable and are not
prone to generating earthquakes. To date, induced earthquakes in Texas
have been associated with wastewater disposal wells, not with hydraulic
fracturing.
Earthquakes have increased in Texas. Before 2008, Texas recorded
about 2 earthquakes a year. Since then, there have been about 12-15 a year.
Seismic monitoring stations in Texas will increase from 18 to 43.
Land
Shale oil and gas development activities in Texas have resulted in
fragmentation of habitat on the landscape. However, there is a lack of
information and scientific data on what the impacts of fragmentation
have been and are on landscape—vegetative resources, agriculture and
wildlife.
95% of Texas lands are privately-owned, which limits data and
studies on land impacts.
Texas is the only major oil and gas producing state without a
surface damage act to protect landowners. The state should study the
advisability of adopting a surface damage act.
Air
The production of shale oil and gas results in emissions of greenhouse
gases, photochemical air pollutants and air toxics. Air emission sources
from shale oil and gas development are diverse, have complex behavior
and are distributed across a large number of individual sites.
For most types of oil and gas emission sources, ~5 percent of
emitters account for more than 50 percent of emissions.
Recent federal regulations have reduced emissions.
Water
The most common pathways for contaminating drinking water sources and
causing environmental damage are with surface spills and well casing
leaks near the surface. The depth and separation between oil-bearing and
drinking water-bearing zones make contamination of potential drinking
water unlikely.
Hydraulic fracturing uses 1-5 million gallons of water per well on
average.
Water used for hydraulic fracturing activities accounts for less
than 1 percent of total statewide water use, but it could account for
the majority of total water use in some rural counties.
Transportation
Transportation is one of the most far-reaching and consistent impacts of
shale oil and gas development. Texas accounts for about half of the
drilling activity in the country at any given time, and all of that
activity requires a very large number of heavy truckloads, which have
far greater impact on roads than typical passenger vehicle traffic.
Road damage from oil and gas operations in Texas costs an estimated
$1.5 to $2 billion a year.
This damage also impacts the trucking industry in Texas: vehicle
damage and lower operating speeds cost the industry an estimated $1.5 to
$3.5 billion a year.
Economic and Social
For the most part, shale oil and gas development contributes positively
to local, regional and state economies, with some unintended
consequences, including impacts to local infrastructure such as roads
and increased cost of living and not everyone within a community
benefits equally from such developments.
Communities in shale regions:
LIKE the economic benefits to property values, schools and medical
services.
DISLIKE the impacts on traffic, public safety, environmental
concerns and noise.