MARYLAND MARCELLUS SHALE SAFE DRILLING INITIATIVE DRAFT FINAL REPORT RECOMMENDS PERMITTING NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT UNDER NEW COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY RULES
Science-based proposal recommends adoption of strongest, most comprehensive protection rules in the nation
BALTIMORE, MD (November 25, 2014) – Reflecting extensive consultation with scientists, public health professionals, economists, industry experts, environmental and community advocates, and the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, today the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources presented a draft Final Report on Marcellus Shale drilling. The three-year-long study recommends that Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling be permitted provided that stringent comprehensive best practices are followed.
The draft Final Report – required by Governor Martin O’Malley’s Executive Order establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative – concludes that the risks of Marcellus shale development can be managed to an acceptable level, similar to other industrial activities, provided that the State rigorously inspects sites and enforces compliance with applicable regulations and stands prepared to adjust policies and regulations as needed in the future. The report recommends best management practices that, taken as a whole, are at least as stringent, if not more stringent, than those required anywhere else in the nation.
“After three years of exhaustive study, we’ve compiled what many believe to be the gold standard for best management practices in the country,” said Governor O’Malley. “We're committed to ensuring that Marylanders have access to the economic opportunities associated with fracking while also putting the most complete practices into place to ensure the highest level of protection for Maryland residents.”
"This report strikes the right balance, ensuring that Allegany and Garret counties realize the economic benefits of fracking without sacrificing public health, the environment or the vibrant tourist economy of Western Maryland,” said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. “With these highly protective standards, and working with local governments to maximize investment opportunities and review Comprehensive Gas Development Plans, Maryland is better positioned to manage this new frontier in energy development.”
The Marcellus Shale is a black shale, or rock formation, found throughout the northern Appalachian Basin, including Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland.
In 2011, Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative to assist State policymakers and regulators in determining whether and how gas production from the Marcellus shale in Maryland can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment and natural resources. The Order requires MDE and DNR, in consultation with an advisory commission made up of a broad array of stakeholders, to undertake the study and prepare three reports.
-- A presentation of findings and related recommendations regarding the desirability of legislation to establish revenue sources, such as a State-level severance tax, and the desirability of legislation to establish standards of liability for damages caused by gas exploration and production. These findings and recommendations were issued in December 2011.
-- Recommendations for best practices for all aspects of natural gas exploration and production in the Marcellus Shale in Maryland. These recommendations were released as an interim final report in July 2014.
-- A final report with findings and recommendations relating to the impact of Marcellus Shale drilling, including possible contamination of groundwater, handling and disposal of wastewater, environmental impacts, impacts to forests and important habitats, greenhouse gas emissions and economic impact.
As part of the study, additional reports were issued: a Best Practices Survey by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory; Air Monitoring and Emission Controls Studies by Leidos, Inc.; a Health Impacts Study by the University of Maryland’s Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health; an Economic Impact Analysis by the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University; and a Draft Risk Assessment by MDE and DNR. The findings of these reports were considered in the development of the draft Final Report.
Advisory Commission members can comment on the draft Final Report through December 8. A final report and proposed regulations are expected to be submitted in December 2014.
Additional information about Maryland’s Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative and the full report can be found online at http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs...cuments/Final_Distribution_Draft_11.25.14.pdf
Science-based proposal recommends adoption of strongest, most comprehensive protection rules in the nation
BALTIMORE, MD (November 25, 2014) – Reflecting extensive consultation with scientists, public health professionals, economists, industry experts, environmental and community advocates, and the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, today the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources presented a draft Final Report on Marcellus Shale drilling. The three-year-long study recommends that Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling be permitted provided that stringent comprehensive best practices are followed.
The draft Final Report – required by Governor Martin O’Malley’s Executive Order establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative – concludes that the risks of Marcellus shale development can be managed to an acceptable level, similar to other industrial activities, provided that the State rigorously inspects sites and enforces compliance with applicable regulations and stands prepared to adjust policies and regulations as needed in the future. The report recommends best management practices that, taken as a whole, are at least as stringent, if not more stringent, than those required anywhere else in the nation.
“After three years of exhaustive study, we’ve compiled what many believe to be the gold standard for best management practices in the country,” said Governor O’Malley. “We're committed to ensuring that Marylanders have access to the economic opportunities associated with fracking while also putting the most complete practices into place to ensure the highest level of protection for Maryland residents.”
"This report strikes the right balance, ensuring that Allegany and Garret counties realize the economic benefits of fracking without sacrificing public health, the environment or the vibrant tourist economy of Western Maryland,” said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. “With these highly protective standards, and working with local governments to maximize investment opportunities and review Comprehensive Gas Development Plans, Maryland is better positioned to manage this new frontier in energy development.”
The Marcellus Shale is a black shale, or rock formation, found throughout the northern Appalachian Basin, including Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland.
In 2011, Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative to assist State policymakers and regulators in determining whether and how gas production from the Marcellus shale in Maryland can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment and natural resources. The Order requires MDE and DNR, in consultation with an advisory commission made up of a broad array of stakeholders, to undertake the study and prepare three reports.
-- A presentation of findings and related recommendations regarding the desirability of legislation to establish revenue sources, such as a State-level severance tax, and the desirability of legislation to establish standards of liability for damages caused by gas exploration and production. These findings and recommendations were issued in December 2011.
-- Recommendations for best practices for all aspects of natural gas exploration and production in the Marcellus Shale in Maryland. These recommendations were released as an interim final report in July 2014.
-- A final report with findings and recommendations relating to the impact of Marcellus Shale drilling, including possible contamination of groundwater, handling and disposal of wastewater, environmental impacts, impacts to forests and important habitats, greenhouse gas emissions and economic impact.
As part of the study, additional reports were issued: a Best Practices Survey by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory; Air Monitoring and Emission Controls Studies by Leidos, Inc.; a Health Impacts Study by the University of Maryland’s Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health; an Economic Impact Analysis by the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University; and a Draft Risk Assessment by MDE and DNR. The findings of these reports were considered in the development of the draft Final Report.
Advisory Commission members can comment on the draft Final Report through December 8. A final report and proposed regulations are expected to be submitted in December 2014.
Additional information about Maryland’s Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative and the full report can be found online at http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs...cuments/Final_Distribution_Draft_11.25.14.pdf