Issue Position: Minimize drilling's threat to clean air

Issue Position

Marcellus Shale natural-gas drilling is a significant source of air pollution, and as drilling expands, so will the
risk to human health and the environment.
The drilling, processing, and transportation of Marcellus Shale gas require many pieces of equipment and
activities that release harmful pollutants into the air. In fact, gas transmission and production engines are the
second-largest emitters of nitrogen oxides in Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately, the full extent of these emissions is not known because the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection does not collect air emissions data from wellhead activity. But we do know that this
type of drilling has caused serious air-pollution problems elsewhere.
In 2009, Wyoming for the first time failed to meet federal health-based standards for air pollution, primarily
due to oil- and gas-related emissions.
The Marcellus Shale air-pollution threat will only increase over time. As many as 60,000 wells may be drilled
in Pennsylvania by 2030; right now, there are only about 4,500.
Gas-drilling air pollutants - nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide,
hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and methane - can cause or exacerbate a variety of respiratory and
other health-related conditions. These pollutants can also damage the environment. Nitrogen oxides and
sulfur dioxide together are the major precursors to acid rain. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.
Last month, I introduced legislation to address these problems. It would do three things:
First, it would require the DEP to collect and publish air-emissions data. This will help the department
estimate future emissions as well as the resources needed to properly regulate the drilling industry. This will
also help the public better understand the air-pollution issues associated with Marcellus Shale drilling.
Second, it would require air-pollution permits for most Marcellus drilling well-head activity. Currently, all oiland gas-drilling activity in Pennsylvania is exempted from air-permit requirements because the emissions
have been considered too inconsequential.
Finally, it would increase air-emission permit fees and use those additional funds to increase staffing in
DEP's air-pollution control program. This program is currently funded almost exclusively by fees collected
from air permits, and the program is understaffed.
Together, these measures will help ensure that the Marcellus Shale air threat is kept in check

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