Illinois deal on fracking could be national model

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By TAMMY WEBBER

CHICAGO (AP) - After years of clashing over the drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," the oil industry and environmentalists have achieved something extraordinary in Illinois: They sat down together to draft regulations both sides could live with.

If approved by lawmakers, participants say, the rules would be the nation's strictest. The Illinois model might also offer a template to other states seeking to carve out a middle ground between energy companies that would like free rein and environmental groups that want to ban the practice entirely.

"The fact that Illinois got there," was significant, said Brian Petty, executive vice president of governmental and regulatory affairs at the International Association of Drilling Contractors. "Anytime you can bring the lion and lamb to the table, it's a good thing. But it's so highly politicized in lot of places" that compromise could be difficult.

Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to crack and hold open thick rock formations, releasing trapped oil and gas. Combined with horizontal drilling, it allows access to formerly out-of-reach deposits and has allowed drillers to move closer to populated areas.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130307/DA4SGBOO1.html

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In this Jan. 17, 2013 file photo, Sean Lennon and actress Susan Sarandon visit a fracking site in New Milford, Pa. As thousands around the country mobilize for and against hydraulic fracturing, industry and some environmental groups in Illinois have come together to draft regulations both sides could live with. Some hope that cooperative approach could be a model for other states. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

[bread_and_roses]

1. so more destruction of the ecosystem

... releasing more ancient carbon, selling out our precious water is "responsible" - gotta love the spin. Lackeys. Guess they never heard the term "a deal with the devil."

[Buzz Clik]

2. This is fantastic. What a great model.

The industry has been in control, and environmentalists have been screaming for a ban with no compromise. This is a huge step.

The potential for environmental damage is substantial, but the technology is available to make it safe and clean. Normally, it is. The leakage of methane is a huge concern but is fully controllable.

In the original article, this quote caught my eye:

Opponents say it causes water and air pollution and permanently depletes freshwater resources

That's kinda true but inaccurate. Some of the water used stays in the hole, but a lot is recovered. And, in the context of water use, fracking uses far far less than irrigated crops in Illinois -- not even in the same order of magnitude.

[Tempest]

7. The water recovered can't be treated and isn't reused from what I've read

They pump it into holding pools.

[Cedric the Clam]

3. What are the Chemicals ?

It says:
"Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals....."

What are those chemicals? Anybody?

What is being pumped into the ground water?

[Earth_First]

10. Many of them are "proprietarty"

So until this has been fully discolsed. No deal in my book.

[lunasun]

4. whole area is screwed

New Albany Shale formation i is huge

[Myrina]

6. Yah, and yesterday the WI Mining Law passed ...

.... WI critters admit that it was written by the mining company.
Say buh-bye to trees, wildlife and clean water in WI as well as IL.

[lunasun]

8. It is like Lake Michigan - Illinois can stop dumping at the shore but the company can just move over

and do it in Indiana,
WI or MI too

[Nye Bevan]

5. Excellent. (nt)

[primavera]

9. Allowing residents to sue for damages may be key

If some legal nonprofit agency steps up to the plate and helps residents of affected areas (which is likely to be a lot) file enough law suits, the cost of settling so many tort claims may make induce the oil and gas industry to eventually drop the practice altogether, or at the very least, adopt of their own volition stringent safeguards to reduce the likelihood of causing damages. Up until now, there's been no incentive to operate safely since the oil and gas industry can cause as much environmental damage as they like with virtual impunity.

[Cedric the Clam]

11. More on Chemicals Used

I found this link which talks about chemicals used in fracking:

http://fracfocus.org/chemical-use/what-chemicals-are-used

The descriptions of how they are used are not very helpful.

Still to be answered: Which ones are pumped into the ground in quantity? That's important to know.

These below from the list are very scary. They are highly toxic and would make the aquifers and water tables toxic and carcinogenic
for hundreds of miles surrounding the pumping sites. For example, one drop of ethylene glycol on a dog's tongue will destroy its liver and kidneys and kill it in about 24 hours. It is car radiator antifreeze.

ethylene glycol (completely poisonous)
petroluem distillates (that's very vague - potentially lots of carcinogens that would stay in the aquifers for decades or more)
methanol (completely poisonous)
2-Butoxyethanol (carcinogen and poison - also known as corexit - was dumped into BP oil spill to disperse it)
Naphthalene (moth balls)