Posted on January 23, 2013 by Chester Babst
On January 9, 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) issued a final White Paper addressing the use of “mine influenced water” (MIW) in oil and natural gas operations. For purposes of the White Paper, MIW is characterized as “water contained in a mine pool or a surface discharge of water caused by mining activities that pollutes, or may create a threat of pollution to, waters of the Commonwealth” and “may also include surface waters that have been impacted by pollutional mine drainage.” The White Paper outlines (1) the process for reviewing proposals to utilize MIW, (2) options for storing MIW (i.e. impoundments, tanks, etc.) prior to being used for oil and natural gas well development, and (3) possible solutions to long-term liability issues.
PADEP Secretary Mike Krancer deemed the use of MIW as a “win” for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. According to PADEP, more than 300 million gallons of water are discharged from Pennsylvania mines each day. The water discharged, after being introduced to sulfides and other minerals occurring naturally within the mine, can be harmful to the receiving streams. The natural gas industry uses between 3-5 million gallons of fresh water, typically withdrawn from surface waters and groundwater sources, for each well completion operation. MIW use provides natural gas companies an alternative source of water for hydraulic fracturing operations with the potential to both lessen the natural gas industry’s dependence on freshwater sources and divert polluted water from watersheds.
While the use of MIW in natural gas production operations can be an economical and environmentally beneficial practice, certain issues, particularly long-term liability, may require additional regulatory or legislative action before the practice becomes a viable option for the natural gas industry. For example, under the current interpretation of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, an operator’s act of pumping water from an abandoned mine pool could create a legal obligation to treat the resulting discharge. PADEP’s White Paper suggests two options for reducing a MIW user’s long-term liability: 1) obtaining protection from civil liability by qualifying for a “water abatement project” under Pennsylvania’s Environmental Good Samaritan Act; and 2) entering into a Consent Order and Agreement with the state. Unfortunately, neither of these options guarantees protection from all potential liabilities under federal and state law for conditions associated with abandoned mines.
Notwithstanding certain concepts that require further consideration, PADEP’s White Paper serves as a platform for Pennsylvania and other states to promote the responsible production of coal and natural gas and, at the same time, to address some of the environmental challenges associated with both. It is hoped PADEP’s White Paper will stimulate discussions regarding the use of MIW for natural gas production in other states with large reserves of coal and natural gas like Ohio, West Virginia, and Wyoming. With additional input from stakeholders across various states, anticipated environmental and economic benefits of this practice may become a reality.
Tags: PADEP, White Paper, mine influenced water, MIW, natural gas