Fracking trucks circle a natural gas well site

The drive to replace coal-burning electricity with natural gas continues to run into environmental speed bumps.

Research scientists writing for Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) report that while directional drilling and hydraulic-fracturing technologies are dramatically increasing natural-gas extraction, the aquifers overlying the Marcellus and Utica shale formations of northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, show systematic evidence for methane contamination of drinking water associated with shale-gas extraction.

The PNAS report directly cites hydraulic fracturing as a contributor: “the process of hydraulic fracturing generates new fractures or enlarges existing ones above the target shale formation, increasing the connectivity of the fracture system. The reduced pressure following the fracturing activities could release methane in solution, leading to methane exsolving rapidly from solution, allowing methane gas to potentially migrate upward through the fracture system.”

Active gas-extraction areas having one or more gas wells within a 1-kilometer average not only imperil drinking-water wells, they are also potential explosion hazards, the report states.

The report continues: “These δ¹³C-CH₄ data, coupled with the ratios of methane-to-higher-chain hydrocarbons, and δ²H-CH₄ values, are consistent with deeper thermogenic methane sources such as the Marcellus and Utica shales at the active sites and matched gas geochemistry from gas wells nearby. In contrast, lower-concentration samples from shallow groundwater at nonactive sites had isotopic signatures reflecting a more biogenic or mixed biogenic/thermogenic methane source.

The researchers concluded “greater stewardship, data, and – possibly – regulation are needed to ensure the sustainable future of shale-gas extraction and to improve public confidence in its use.”

Beyond renewable energies, natural gas is one of the cleaner energy sources out there for those wishing to leave a green footprint. However, the techniques being used to obtain this gas are starting to make some worry.

During the last Congress, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce launched an investigation to examine the practice of hydraulic fracturing in the United States.  The committee asked the 14 leading oil and gas service companies to disclose the types and volumes of the hydraulic fracturing products they used in their fluids between 2005 and 2009 and the chemical contents of those products.

For those interested in knowing more, visit FracFocus – a chemical disclosure registry operated by the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. The details are here for all lookers wanting to search for information about the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells.

This report was originally published in CleanTechnica.

Photo: from the J Henry Fair exhibit at the 2011 Earth Day Fair in Grand Central. Location of site in Dimock, Pennsylvania.

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We applaud the development of alternative energies but add this caveat for all supporters: it will be an extraordinary feat if the percentage of alternative energy powering the world’s grid comes anywere close to reaching five percent of supply in the next 20 years.

That brings us to the subject of power plants. Here are some power plant facts, according to the PowerPlantCCS website: 

“There are over 50,000 power plants in the world. These power plants constitute the single largest emitting industry for CO₂ emissions.”

One solution for solving this problem: carbon capture and sequestration, one of the reasons the PowerPlantCCS website was launched. The site provides a report, starting with CO2:

“Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas after water vapor. Burning fossil fuels, land clearing and other activities of modern industrial society have caused the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to climb from about 280 parts per million to 380 parts per million, causing warming and other climate changes.

“From 1991 to 2000, CO₂ accounted for 82% of total U.S. GHG emissions in terms of its global warming potential. About 96% of these carbon emissions resulted from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy. With the increased emphasis on GHG abatement, it is imperative that these power plants undertake serious efforts to cut down their CO₂ emitted and sequester it.”

Now comes an argument for carbon capture:

“Energy efficiency improvements and switching from fossil fuels toward less carbon intensive energy sources were once seen as the only realistic means of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In recent years, however, analysts and policymakers have begun to recognize the potential for a third option—the development of “end-of-pipe” technologies that would allow for the continued utilization of fossil fuel energy sources while significantly reducing carbon emissions. “

Whether pro or con, there are numerous developments in this field — some that appear to provide plausible solutions that may help abate global warming. To help with the development of technologies like these, one of the best tyools available will be active involvement from a population that understand far more about global warming than it presently does.

Rethinking our love affair with gas-guzzlers

It is high time we consider more seriously what needs to be done with at least a few of our addictions to fossil fuels, says documentry producer, Josh Tickell, the creator of “Fuel.”

Quotable:

“What we cannot forget about HUMMER is that it is a great brand…it’s a global brand, it’s iconic.”– Rick Wagoner, CEO, General Motors

“The world is addicted to oil, it’s time for an intervention.” Fuel Film Website

On his website, Josh Tickell provides a list of ten things all residents on this planet should all be doing to be more proactive about our fuel gluttony:

TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW:

A film worth seeing

10  ALTER YOUR TRANSPORTATION

Take the bus or carpool,
Bike and walk,
Inflate your tires,
Get an electric car or hybrid,
Get a diesel car and run it on sustainable fuel.

9  SWITCH YOUR SCHOOL BUSES

Lobby your principal, PTA and school to switch to sustainable biodiesel.

8  BUY WIND

Get a wind turbine, invest in wind energy or switch your electricity provider to a
company with wind power.

7  GET SOLAR

Put solar panels on your house, invest in solar energy or switch your electricity
provider to a company with solar energy.

6  INVEST IN ALGAE

Put your money into sustainable algae companies to build algae ponds in
deserts and also from wastewater or carbon sequestration.

5  GROW FOOD AND TREES – LOCALLY

Start a community garden, plant trees, and learn about organic,
biodynamic and sustainable farming.

4  GO CARBON NEUTRAL

Sign up for carbon offsets, stop using petroleum and eat lower on the food chain.

3  CONSERVE ENERGY AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY

Buy and use energy efficient devices, turn off lights and unused appliances and retrofit
your house or apartment.

2  DIG BENEATH THE HEADLINES – EDUCATE YOURSELF

Fact check and qualify the source, especially when it involves corporate profits.

1  VOTE FOR “NON-FOSSIL” POLITICIANS

Vote for leaders who are not owned by oil, coal and nuclear interests.

Tickel’s website, Fuel is worth visitng.