Quality

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead on Wednesday asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cooperate in a scientific review and analysis of groundwater quality in Pavillion, which federal officials assert may have been polluted by natural gas drilling methods.

California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp.’s compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kit manufacturer, BAF, has received clearance from California air quality regulators to sell its 2012 dedicated CNG Ford Motor Co. Transit Connect taxis in the state. The certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is effective immediately, according to Dallas-based BAF. In this case CNG is used in traditional gasoline internal combustion engines that BAF modifies to operate on natural gas (see Daily GPI, Sept. 27). As a Clean Energy subsidiary, BAF has been certified by Ford to convert standard Transit Connect taxis to run on CNG. BAF said it already has CARB authorizations for other 2012 utility and shuttle models, and it has federal Environmental Protection Agency authorization for CNG-powered versions of Ford vans, shuttles and pickup trucks.

With an eye on improved air quality and increased demand, Pennsylvania is making the case that existing regulation allow drivers to convert their vehicles to run on natural gas.

Delaware has issued an air quality construction permit and awarded grant money to NRG Energy Inc. as it begins a $26.5 million project to convert one of its power plants from coal to natural gas.

A proposal before the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to revise its water quality regulations and open the basin to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling suffered a serious setback after Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said Thursday his state would vote against the plan.

A proposal before the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to revise its water quality regulations and open the basin to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling suffered a serious setback after Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said Thursday his state would vote against the plan.

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) later this month plans to consider adopting water quality regulations that would apply to all natural gas development projects in the basin, including the construction and operation of all gas wells, regardless of the target geologic formation, whether a well is for production or exploration, or whether high-volume or low-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is being considered.

A new study of private water wells in rural Pennsylvania found 20% to be contaminated with methane before Marcellus operations began nearby, but also found increased bromide levels that could be the result of natural gas drilling.

A bill recently introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would require the state’s Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to develop standards for the construction of oil and gas well pads in the Marcellus and Utica shales, according to Rep. Fred Keller, a Republican from central Pennsylvania.