Marcellus Shale News

Philadelphia City Council Pulled Into Fracking Debate

Concerns about water quality have pulled the Philadelphia City Council into the debate about natural gas well drilling in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia is not in the Marcellus Shale reserve, but because natural gas drilling could taint the drinking water for the metropolitan area, the city council’s environmental committee wants a suspension of a drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Fracking is used in deep natural gas wells and is being done in parts of Pennsylvania. With fracking, a mix of water, sand and chemicals is pumped deep underground, cracking or fracturing the buried shale to allow natural gas to flow into a well.

The risks and consequences of fracking are still being studied, but the Environmental Protection Agency has found at least some evidence that fracking has contaminated wells. Pennsylvania also has lagged behind other states in the treatment of wastewater used during fracking.

Pittsburgh Resolution Opposing Fracking

Pittsburgh was the first Pennsylvania city to pass a resolution opposing fracking. Unlike Philadelphia, Pittsburgh sits in the heart of the Marcellus Shale reserve. The reserve covers western Pennsylvania, southern New York state, eastern Ohio, most of West Virginia and the western tip of Maryland. It is thought be a significant reserve of natural gas, but one that is not easily pumped from beneath the ground.

The action by the Philadelphia City Council is largely symbolic because it is not in the Marcellus Shale reserve. But the concern is that fracking could contaminate Philadelphia’s drinking water. There also is worry about the huge volumes of water needed for fracking.

Contact Our Injury Lawyers Today

If you believe your well has been contaminated or your property has been damaged by fracking, you may have a claim for damages against a drilling rig operator or the gas exploration company. The Marcellus Shale gas accident lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright can advise you of your options.

The attorneys at Munley, Munley & Cartwright represent victims who have been injured through no fault of their own. Contact us at 877-421-9173 or submit a free online claim evaluation.