Range Resources, a major natural gas developer in the Appalachian region, suspects vandals loosened bolts securing pipeline coupling causing hydraulic fracturing wastewater to leak into a farmers drainage ditch. A Range spokesman said the pipe had passed a pressure test and physical inspection. Pennsylvania state environmental regulators are investigating.
The wastewater subsequently found a path to a tributary of Cross Creek Lake in Washington County. Salamanders, crayfish and insects were killed in the May 26 spill.
Where was their security? A fracturing job typically has thirty plus operators, not including company men, water and sand haulers, rolling in all hours of the day or night, a wire-line crew, such as Halliburton, and sundry support personal adding to the number of eyes on site.
Range Resources had a simple choice, step up to plate and accept responsibility. They choose front-line finger pointing at mysterious vandals and a wait-and-see stance instead.
“We have a 60-year track record on our side,” said Chris Tucker, spokesman for Energy in Depth, a Washington, D.C. based industry lobby group, in response to the recent push by legislators to repeal the Energy Policy Act of 2005, (see ‘Halliburton Loophole’ post)
Tucker went on to say, “Why in 60 years that fracing has been used, why now? Why is everyone pissed off now?”
My answer to Tucker is accountability!
Denise Skinner