"Municipalities in areas of the state where
conventional oil and gas drilling has taken place for decades rely on free or
low-cost brine water as a safe and proven solution to prevent dust in the
summer and improve traction in the winter on their dirt roads. DEP's decision
today will eliminate nearly all of the brine-producing wells in the state
currently used for this purpose, without justification or any evidence of
benefits to the environment.
"Limiting the sources of this brine will create
financial hardships in cash-strapped municipalities that can least afford it,
and will also increase costs for conventional oil and gas producers struggling
to compete against larger companies. Municipalities may not be able to obtain
brine water from the smaller number of wells now eligible under DEP's rules,
resulting in the generation of more particulate matter from dust and negative
impacts to crops and plants. The primary alternative to brine water for dust
suppression, the use of a version of kerosene, is far more expensive and likely
out of reach for most of these municipalities.
"This decision by DEP is a loser for the environment, a
loser for municipalities in many parts of the state and a loser for common
sense.”
Note: The DEP is allowing the use of brine from conventional gas wells, not shale wells.
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Meanwhile, there is apparently a brine controversy in New York State as well. Earlier this week, Allegany County Legislator Karl Graves said he was contacted by Jim Frungillo, the Town of Andover Highway Superintendent. Apparently, the Department of Environmental Conservation recently determined there is a compound in Brine that they say “doesn’t meet their criteria.” The move allegedly could substantially impact the operations of several towns. Kevin Demick is the Angelica Town Highway Superintendent and is also the Chair of the Highway Superintendents Association. He said while Angelica doesn't use brine, he has heard the rumblings. Demick said typically brine is used for dust suppression in the summer and ice control in the winter. He said the issues would likely be discussed Highway Superintendents meeting this week. Brine used locally is derived from conventional gas wells, not fracking operations.
Legislator Graves said he had one on one meetings with both Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Joe Giglio - neither was aware of the issue. The state lawmakers each asked for input from Highway Superintendents and all those adversely affected.
Giglio:
District Office
700 West State Street
Olean, NY 14760
716-373-7103
Olean, NY 14760
716-373-7103
Young:
District Office
700 W. State Street Westgate Plaza
Olean, NY 14760
Phone: 716-372-4901
Fax: 716-372-5740
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Meanwhile, Marcellus Drilling News had this to say:
One more way the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) is hassling both the PA conventional industry and local towns is via an ongoing embargo against the use of brine–water from the depths that comes out of drilled wells for months and years as the well is producing natural gas. Drillers need to dispose of the brine–it’s an expense. Brine is nothing more than very minerally water. It’s called brine because it’s “salty.” An ongoing beneficial deal was struck by drillers and local towns in years gone by. Towns need a source of water to spread on dirt roads during summer. Drillers have an overabundance of brine. So drillers have been giving their brine to towns, for free. The towns don’t have to pay to buy water, and drillers don’t have to pay to dispose of it. Towns did not budget money to buy water for dirt roads, which they will now have to do.
