Dr. Jennifer Baka, Penn State, and Dr. Susan Brantley, Penn State will present their research on potential groundwater contamination related to unconventional oil and gas development in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The research team will highlight their interdisciplinary research approach involving geoscientific analyses and community engagement.
The overall goal of this study is to evaluate potential linkages between unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) and groundwater contamination in Beaver, Greene and Washington counties which has many overlapping potential sources of contamination.
The study was informed by focus groups in the region to help identify areas of community concern between July 31 and August 1 to discuss preliminary study results with community members.
The investigators--
-- Combined an existing data set of chemical measurements in groundwater with machine learning to isolate the influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater chemistry and to identify chemical signatures of UOGD [shale gas development].
-- Evaluated linkages between shale gas and potential water contamination.
-- Developed an approach to map locations of potential contamination from shale gas activities for application to future investigations of potential human exposures and health effects associated with shale gas.
In addition to the presenters, the study also involved Donna Vorhees and Ayusha Ariana, both from HEI Energy.
Click Here for more background on the new study.
Click Here to register for the webinar.
2022 Hotspot Research
This new study analyzed the location of the "hotspots" of contamination from oil and gas operations identified in a 2022 study by Dr. Shaheen and others in terms of population, geology, industrial activities and groundwater chemistry and looked at a continuing exposure analysis.
The 2022 study results "point toward potential human exposure risk via water supplies contaminated by UOGD in limited areas. Our methods, which highlight localities in which water supplies may be impacted, are not a “gold standard” for exposure and must be followed by case studies.
"Nonetheless, our methods are important because the low frequency of UOGD contamination and complexity of hydrogeologic transport of contaminants into water supplies means that randomly collected water samples are unlikely to document exposure via drinking water. Methods such as ours should thus guide exposure studies."
"We also identify infrequent CH4 [methane] contamination in SWPA and emphasize that UOGD near coal mining necessitates enhanced attention to prevent gas migration from coal seams.
"At the same time, the frequency of gas migration from UOG [unconventional] wells appears lower than the frequency associated with COG [conventional] wells, as we identified a significant correlation across SWPA between [CH4] and proximity to COG wells but no such correlation for UOG wells.
"Perhaps, the prior OGD in SWPA that removed gas explains today’s lessened gas leakage during UOGD.
"We nonetheless emphasize that contamination from UOGD can translate into small regional impacts on groundwater chemistry that could expose human populations to low-level concentrations of harmful contaminants in highly localized areas."
Click Here for more on the 2002 study.
HEI Energy is a nonprofit affiliate of the Health Effects Institute (HEI), chartered as an independent research organization to provide high-quality and impartial science about potential human exposure and health effects associated with onshore development of oil and natural gas from shale and other unconventional resources (UOGD) in the United States.
(Hotspot Maps 2022 Study: Methane, Brine (Barium, Strontium), Thallium. Red is bad.)
NewsClip:
-- Public Herald: I Turned Blue - Workers Share Horrifying Experiences Treating Oil & Gas Wastewater
Related Articles - Oil & Gas Health Impacts:
-- New Penn State Study Finds Runoff From Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Dumped On Unpaved Roads Contains Pollutants That Exceed Human-Health, Environmental Standards [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project - Part 1: Personal Narrative Of Environmental, Health Impacts From Oil & Gas Drilling On Siri Lawson, Warren County [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project - Part II: Personal Narrative Of Environmental, Health Impacts From Oil & Gas Drilling On Siri Lawson, Warren County [PaEN]
-- DEP Reports Shale Gas Operations Sent Over 138,000 Cubic Feet Of Radioactive TENORM Waste To Low-Level Radioactive Waste Facilities For Disposal In 2022 - Over 911,000 Cubic Feet Since 2017 [PaEN]
-- House Committee Hearing On Increasing Safety Setbacks Zones Around Natural Gas Facilities Heard About First-Hand Citizen Experiences On Health Impacts, From Physicians On Health Studies And The Gas Industry On Job Impacts [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw, Republican Chair Of Senate Environmental Committee, Calls Bill To Reduce Shale Gas Industry Impacts On Health, Environment ‘Stupid’ [PaEN]
-- State Dept. Of Health Pushing For Changes To Reduce Adverse Health Impacts From Natural Gas Development [PaEN]
-- University Of Pittsburgh School Of Public Health Studies Find Shale Gas Wells Can Make Asthma Worse; Children Have An Increased Chance Of Developing Lymphoma Cancer; Slightly Lower Birth Weights [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project Finds Results ‘Very Concerning’ From University Of Pittsburgh Studies Showing Links Between Natural Gas Development And Lymphoma Cancer, Worsening Asthma Conditions, Lower Birth Weights [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project: Gov. Shapiro Must Acknowledge Health Risks Of Natural Gas Development And Take Meaningful Action To Protect The Public [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act [PaEN]
-- 9th Compendium Of Studies On Health & Environmental Harms From Natural Gas Development Released - ‘The Rapidly Expanding Body Of Evidence Compiled Here Is Massive, Troubling And Cries Out For Decisive Action’ [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project: PA’s Natural Gas Boom - What Went Wrong? Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do Better To Protect Public Health? [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project: How DEP Issues Permits For Shale Gas Facilities Without Considering Cumulative Impacts - How New Facilities Will Add To Existing Pollution Loads And Impact The Area PaEN]
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 9 to 15 - 500 Conventional Abandoned Well Violations; 25 Days Of Shale Gas Water Withdrawals Without Permission; Wastewater Pipeline Spill [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industry Compliance So Far In 2023 - It Isn’t Pretty [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - December 16 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 68 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 16 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Former Employees Of Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Company Ask For Criminal Investigation Of Eureka And An Audit Of DEP Over Alleged Workplace, Environmental Violations [PaEN]
-- Senate Environmental Committee Reports Independent Energy Information Office Bill; Democrats Attempt To Table Environmental Hearing Board Nominee [PaEN]
-- EPA/DOE Award DEP $44.4 Million To Plug Active, Conventional Oil & Gas Wells To Stop Leaking Methane [PaEN]
-- Videos Now Available From PA League Of Women Voters, University Of Pittsburgh School Of Public Health Shale Gas & Public Health Conference; Dept. Of Health Pushing For Changes To Reduce Adverse Health Impacts [PaEN]
-- House Passes Bill Requiring Registration Of Cryptocurrency Mining Operations, Impact Study [PaEN]
-- Carbon County Residents Urge DEP To Deny Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. Request To Burn Tires To Fuel Its Cryptocurrency Mining Operation At The Panther Creek Power Plant [PaEN]
-- CNX Ends Coordination On West Virginia Adams Fork Ammonia Energy Project, Anchor Of ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Application [PaEN]
-- HEI Energy Hosts Dec. 18 Webinar On New Research On Community Exposures To Oil & Gas Development & Groundwater Contamination In Beaver, Greene & Washington Counties [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office Estimates 2023 Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee Revenue Will Drop By Nearly $105 Million, While Almost 400 New Wells Were Drilled So Far In 2023 [PaEN]
-- House Passes Bill Requiring Registration Of Cryptocurrency Mining Operations, Impact Study [PaEN]
-- Carbon County Residents Urge DEP To Deny Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. Request To Burn Tires To Fuel Its Cryptocurrency Mining Operation At The Panther Creek Power Plant [PaEN]
-- House Hearing: Shapiro Administration Supports Expanding Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards; Renewables Lower Energy Costs; Increase Grid Reliability; More Work Needed To Improve Natural Gas Reliability [PaEN]
-- WeConservePA Hosts Jan. 22 Webinar On Why Municipalities Should Consider A Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facility Ordinance [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Webinar Dec. 21: Shale Gas Trends For Landowners, Growth & Land Leasing [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week:
-- Public Herald: I Turned Blue - Workers Share Horrifying Experiences Treating Oil & Gas Wastewater
-- Williamsport Sun: Ex-Employees Seek Criminal Probe Against Eureka Resources Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Williamsport
-- NorthcentralPA.com: Former Eureka Resources Employees Ask Lycoming County DA Gardner For Criminal Investigation Of Workplace At Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant
-- Citizens Voice: Former Eureka Employees Ask Lycoming County DA For Criminal Investigation Of Workplace At Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant
-- Williamsport Sun: Fracking Water Spills At Eureka Resources Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Williamsport
-- TribLive Letter: For Natural Gas Industry, Concern For Health Should Trump Industry Profits
-- Lock Haven Express Letter: Who Does Senator Yaw Represent? - By Karen Elias
-- The Daily Item Letter: We Deserve A Refund, Too, From The Legislature [Pitt Shale Gas Health Studies] - By Trey Casimir
-- Bob Donnan Blog: Unleashing LNG Natural Gas Exports On Pennsylvania’s Habitat
-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Regulatory Reform Needed To Advance Critical Natural Gas Projects In PA - By American Petroleum Institute PA
-- TribLive Letter: Natural Gas Industry A Win For Pennsylvania - Keystone Contractors Assn.
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Black And Brown Communities Cannot Be Left In The Dark As Energy Innovation Booms - By Fmr ExxonMobil Executive
-- Williamsport Sun Letter: ‘Any Legislation Or Regulation That Seeks To Further Restrict The Development, Transportation or Use Of Natural Gas Will Harm Our Economy, Undermine Personal Property Rights, Weaken National Security And Reverse The Significant Environmental Program Enabled By This Clean Abundant Energy Source’ - By Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Per Well Fee Revenues To Drop $105 Million
-- Post-Gazette: PA Shale Gas Impact Fee Revenues Drop $105 Million
-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp Board Risks Missing Deadline For Adopting New Generator Winterization Standards To Ensure Grid Reliability [Response To Winter Storm Elliot Problems]
-- Reuters: Extreme Cold Still Poses Reliability Challenge For North American Power Generators, Particularly Natural Gas Infrastructure - NERC
-- Utility Dive: US Electricity Load Growth Forecast Jumps 81% Led By Data Centers, Industry
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Will Have 2 Years To Update Oil & Gas Facility Methane Emission Rules To Match EPA
-- Reuters: US Natural Gas Prices Up 1% On Higher Demand, Record LNG Exports
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shale Gas Exports Get A Seat At The Global Table: ‘That’s Our Business’ [EQT]
-- Reuters: Freeport LNG Natural Gas Plant Settles With EPA Over Safety Failures In 2022 Texas Blast
-- Offshore Technology: US Gas Producer EQT Explores Sale Of Production Assets Worth $3 Billion In NE PA
-- Reuters: US Natural Gas Producer EQT Explores Sale Of Production Assets Worth $3 Billion In NE PA
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: CNX Pulls Out Of Adams Fork Hydrogen Project
-- PennLive Letter: Let’s Get To Work On PA’s Hydrogen Hubs, Develop Strong Standards - By Rep. Rabb (D-Philadelphia)
-- Herald-Star: Tenaska Outlines Carbon Capture, Storage Project In Shale Gas Formations In SW PA, Southern Ohio
-- The Allegheny Front: COP28 Roundup: Food, Health, Disaster Relief And The Oceans
-- Financial Times: COP28: The New Climate Commitments That Really Count: Oil & Gas Methane Reductions; Tripling Renewables; Boost Energy Efficiency
-- AP: Experts At Odds Over Result Of UN Climate Talks: ‘Historic,’ ‘Pipsqueak’ Or Something Else?
-- Bloomberg: COP28 Deal Signals Role For Natural Gas In Clean Energy Transition
-- Reuters: What Are The Loopholes In COP28 Climate Deal That Could Keep Oil, Gas, Coal Flowing Indefinitely
[Posted: December 12, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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