EPA moves to curb fracking-linked pollution, gives grace period
The article discusses the first regulations ever to be issued by the
EPA to regulate air pollution from natural gas wells that use hydraulic fracturing. This technique is controversial and leads to the
emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, in turn, react with smog. The new regulations would address these
emissions, as well as limit the emissions of carcinogens and methane which are
factors in climate change. The approximately
11,000 new wells that annually undergo fracking will be effected, but the
industry will have a three-year period to install technology to capture some of
the worst pollutants. The oil industry
asserted that if a national standard went into effect this year, there would be
a shortage of companies proving the green completion technology for fracking to
meet the increased demand which would make compliance more expensive. Consequently, companies will be allowed to
burn their methane emissions until January 2015. When considering the issues of harmful
emissions, it is easy to perceive the oil companies as the villains; it is
interesting, then, to consider the necessity of making concessions for their
sake. However, it will ease the
transition and hopefully allow higher rates of compliance. It is a=encouraging that the EPA, (who we
have also encountered as the antihero in many of the case studies in the readings), is breaking new
ground with these regulations, and tackling a problem in such a large and
powerful sector as the oil industry.
Given the lack of follow-through that we have seen in other appeals to the
EPA, is it dangerous to make any concessions and give the oil industry time to
mobilize and further put off the need to make changes? Or is it necessary to
compromise in order to achieve any sort of change?
I think it's good that the EPA is making an effort to stay on top of natural gas regulations, considering how the industry is expected to grow in the coming years. And as far as giving the oil industry time to compromise, it does seem fair that they should be given time to comply, and also allows for new fracking operations to design their facilities with the new regulations in mind. Considering some regulations usually give a 5-10 year compliance window, 3 years seems reasonable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm not an expert on fracking, but most of the pollution concerns I have heard about are in regards to the groundwater. While regulating air pollution is also important, I wonder if these regulations are really getting at the root of the problems associated with fracking. I'd also be curious to know how other industries that emit the same VOCs are being held accountable for their emissions.