Inside Climate News: Attorneys representing Plum Borough and an environmental group opposed to fracking said in arguments on Tuesday before Commonwealth Court in Pittsburgh that a proposed second “injection” well for disposing of toxic fracking wastewater would violate the borough’s zoning code, reports Jake Bolster for Inside Climate News.
In a nutshell:
Penneco Environmental Solutions, an oil and gas company, faced opposition from residents over its existing disposal well and the proposed Sedat 4A well. This case holds significance as Pennsylvania grapples with disposing of increasing amounts of produced water, which contains toxic substances. The outcome will determine if Penneco can convert Sedat 4A into an injection well, exacerbating both environmental and health concerns.
Key quote:
“My mental health and my physical health is impacted by this every day,” said Katie Sheehan, a Plum resident who lives near Penneco’s existing injection well.
The big picture:
Residents living near injection wells have reported a range of health issues, including concerns about air quality due to increased truck traffic and potential air pollution. There have also been reports of changes in the quality of private well water, with instances of contamination observed. While the gas industry contends that fracking and wastewater disposal are safe and regulated, these concerns underscore the need for thorough safety assessments and rigorous regulation to protect public health.
Read Bolster's article at Inside Climate News.
In the wake of growing concerns over the oil and gas industry's handling of radioactive waste, Pennsylvania activists and policymakers have been working to change laws that exempt the industry from safety regulations, writes EHN's award-winning Pittsburgh reporter Kristina Marusic.
