Bill Text: PA SR202 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the oil and gas industry to utilize acid mine water in fracturing Marcellus Shale for natural gas extraction, whenever economically feasible and environmentally safe.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-3)

Status: (Passed) 2011-11-15 - Adopted [SR202 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR202-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1687
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 202 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY KASUNIC, YUDICHAK, ALLOWAY, BOSCOLA, BREWSTER, FONTANA, HUGHES, SOLOBAY, TARTAGLIONE, WASHINGTON AND D. WHITE, OCTOBER 18, 2011
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, OCTOBER 18, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Urging the oil and gas industry to utilize acid mine water in
fracturing Marcellus Shale for natural gas extraction,
whenever economically feasible and environmentally safe.
WHEREAS, Certain regions of Pennsylvania have a half-century-
old problem with abandoned coal mines which fill with water; and
WHEREAS, The water in the abandoned mines becomes highly
acidic and laden with dissolved metals that enter our rivers and
streams making them uninhabitable for wildlife and unsuitable
for human consumption; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 2,500 miles of streams have been
degraded by acid mine drainage, and it is the greatest single
source of water pollution in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that it would require more than
$5,000,000,000 in capital costs to treat and clean the acid mine
water in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Water is an essential component in Marcellus Shale
gas development; and
WHEREAS, Drilling a typical Marcellus Shale deep gas well
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requires 100,000 gallons of water; and
WHEREAS, Hydraulically fracturing a typical Marcellus Shale
horizontal deep gas well requires an average 5,500,000 gallons
of water; and
WHEREAS, The use of acid mine water to drill and fracture
Marcellus Shale horizontal deep gas wells would keep millions of
gallons of this acidic water out of Pennsylvania waterways, and
would yield an immediate environmental benefit; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the oil and gas industry to
utilize acid mine water in fracturing Marcellus Shale for
natural gas extraction whenever economically feasible and
environmentally safe.
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