On November 25, after three years of study assessing the impacts of unconventional shale gas development, Governor O’Malley announced that new and comprehensive regulations will be developed to govern the extraction of natural gas utilizing hydraulic fracturing, a drilling technique commonly referred to as fracking, from the Marcellus Shale underlying parts of Garrett and Allegany Counties.
Citizen Shale truly appreciates the efforts of Governor O’Malley’s administration and the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Commission to research the impacts of unconventional natural gas development and production (UNGDP) in Maryland. And we also appreciate the hard work that has been put into identifying best available technologies and practices that can be utilized to mitigate the undesirable effects of shale gas drilling.
Nevertheless, based on the study results, we continue to be concerned about many issues, including disposal of fracking wastewater and toxic chemicals, protection for sensitive areas and resources, disclosure of harmful chemicals and compounds, and the impact on public health and safety. We would have preferred to see a great deal more research into the current and future impacts of unconventional gas drilling and production. But with this decision to permit UNGDP, we recognize the necessity of strong regulations, with diligent monitoring and enforcement.
There are some who suggest we should proceed with unconventional gas drilling and lighten the regulatory load on gas development companies. But what should we in western Maryland agree to give up? Our water? Our air? Public health? Safety on our rural roads? Our agricultural assets? Our tourism economy? Our property values?
Based on what we’ve observed in neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia, we cannot be certain that even the most stringent regulations can adequately protect these important interests – but we should surely do everything we can to ensure that what can be protected will be protected.
Please join CitizenShale.org in the coming months, and participate in the imminent legislative and regulatory processes that will govern unconventional gas development in Maryland.
TAKE ACTION, please attend
- Garrett County: The Garrett County Health Department, 1025 Memorial Drive, Oakland, MD 21550, or
- Baltimore City: Terra Conference Room at the Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230
