I've never been much of a reality tv fan, but I find myself of late missing the show Fear Factor. And trying to come up with a way to convert the concept for public meetings on fracing.
Really, when you think about it, there's no word like "fear" to describe the current shale debates. You've got anti-fossil fuel folks using fear mongering to get people who know no better to believe in their interpretation of things. You've got people who refuse to trust anyone in the energy industry giving in to their fear so they feel like they know something about the Marcellus, and you've got politicians using fear to make themselves relevant to the biggest thing to hit the area in eons. And that's just the last few weeks.
Funny part is, there is plenty to fear -- yet people are attaching fear to the few parts of Marcellus drilling that really aren't that scary.
Hydraulic fracturing, as I've said, may sound scary, but really is the last thing concerned citizens need to be worried about. In fact, the very need for it alone should put us at ease. People are so worried those minimal amounts of additive are going to make it to the drinking water aquifer -- and now to the graves of their loved ones -- but don't seem to realize that if any thing was going to escape the Marcellus through randomly meeting fractures and breaks in the formation, it would be the gas itself. (you know, that whole lighter substances migrate to the surface when they can science thing...?)And yet, after millions of years, and years of us knowing all about it sitting down there, it remains, trapped in nonporous geology. If it can't escape, even now with all the fracing going on out there, how can water? Misplaced fear.
The disposal of flowback water is certainly something that needs thought and good regulation. Yet its still not the thing fouling the Mon with high TDS -- please read up on this people. The idea that TDS from drilling has caused those problems is unfounded. For heavens sake, even DEP people are constantly reminding the world of this in every newspaper article they can -- it sounds something like this --"We have no evidence that water from drilling has caused any of the TDS problems we've experienced." Even the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, way too quick to place the blame for the debacle at Dunkard Creek at the feet of drillers found out the hard way that the problems there were caused by our near and dear benefactor Consol Energy and its coal miner pals. Yet no one questioned the denials and excuses that came from the general direction of Southpointe at that time.
This is how the fear factor works in the Marcellus. People who are either overzealous renewable energy fans, or need to make themselves relevant for whatever reason, make lots of noise about geological science and unstudied incidents related to an industry they know absolutely nothing about. People hear this because screaming and yelling about things that are completely unfounded, without any background data or balance, is how television news gets viewers these days. So when Doug Shields warns the people of Pittsburgh that they'll be turning on their lights at noon again when the gas drillers come to town, people panic. And yet Shields himself is absolutely aware that no such thing will happen. Even if you look at the air emissions that drilling gives off at intervals during the process, its not even a drop in the bucket compared to the sooty, particulate matter pollution that was given off in tons by the historical steel industry. Institutions like ProPublica, which has a publisher with an agenda, interview people out in the field who's water has been tested and studied ad nauseum to no avail (which means there's no evidence that can be used to sue a major oil company for millions) and allow them to tell horror stories about big oil and gas, designed to make us fear for our very lives.
But regardless of all the boogey-men trying, rather successfully I might add, to scare everyone, there REALLY are things to be scared of. First, is the fact that Pennsylvania will completely ruin this amazing chance to rebuild its economy. When's the last time you remember that a rust belt state like ours was given a no-brainer opportunity to put people from nearly every walk of life, level of education, and interest to work in a field that fuels (pun intended) the entire economy of the country? Doesn't happen. Ever. Its a gift. And too many of us are looking the gift horse directly in the mouth.
You know those stories we hear about how while SW PA has felt some recessionary shocks, it hasn't fared as bad as everyone else? Especially in the housing market? That's because people are swarming here to make their fortunes in natural gas. Texas are finding they can get two and a half times the house for what theirs is worth in the Lone Star State, and still have money left over. For that kind of ROI, they can take the cold. Be afraid if you dare imagine what the housing market here could have been like without those well timed discoveries.
And what about international investment? If you're really paying attention to the Marcellus right now, you know that international oil and gas companies are lining up to partner with the acreage owners to get in on the action. Pittsburgh, you've always wanted a return to the world where you were once a player in international business affairs. Don't tell me you are in IT and health care -- you're not. But in natural gas, you surely could be. Just stop and count up the square footage of office space in downtown Pittsburgh used in the pursuit of developing the Marcellus. Yes downtown. You have a Houston law firm that just opened its doors down there. K&L Gates has expanded to a level where it can put its name on a building like the big boys. EQT -- yes they drill the Marcellus too -- is taking over downtown, not to mention bankrolling the Regatta and other charitable events. Real fear is the reality of what will be missed out on if we follow the path of those who cannot comprehend acceptable risk, and real science.
The investments and benefits of Marcellus drilling to our region in terms of business have already been vast. Imagine what's next -- major orders for the remaining local steel operations for all of the steel pipe needed for infrastructure. Cheaper heating and cooling costs because energy doesn't have to travel as far to reach us. Major international investment in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. People who can afford it actually buying stuff in those trendy overpriced Ross Park Mall stores. Impressive donations to science programs at Pitt, Duquesne, West Virginia and Penn State. Heck, we might even see that Pittsburgh to Paris flight return, along with other non-stop international flights out of Greater Pitt. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
For those of you too young to remember, or who choose not to, Pittsburgh used to be a bevy of international manufacturing headquarters. Looking farther back, it was out city that supported the growth of the country (Yes, Mr. Shields, I DO want to see that again.). Pretty soon, we're going to know if people in Pennsylvania, SW PA in particular, really just like to complain about the "loss" of the good old days, or if they truly want to make their city, region and state a real factor in the international community once more.
Based on the short sightedness of Pittsburgh's city council, its regional local government officials, and its leading local newspaper, and the knee jerk reactions of its academics looking for their 15 minutes, its an answer I'm truly afraid to find out.
