By Shawn Magrath
Sun Staff Writer
smagrath@evesun.com
NORWICH – The long-running debate over the benefits and safety of natural gas production in New York State has been has been a sensitive issue for local residents, even long before a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing was implemented in the state in 2011.
As part of the effort help local legislators and planners make informed decisions when it comes to shale gas development, the Cornell Shale Gas Team – a group comprised of professionals, researchers and doctoral candidates – hosted an informational seminar on current issues and research last week. Topics discussed ranged from risk assessment for water pollution to the economic impact of shale gas development. Other topics included the current trends in Marcellus shale gas development in areas of New York and Pennsylvania, municipal planning, and educational outreach.
Speaking at the seminar were Al George, J.F. Carr professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Doctoral candidate Darrick Evensen; David Kay of the Cornell Community and Regional Development Institute; and Brian Rahm of the New York State Water Resources Institute.
“Gas development requires us to look at a lot different concerns to get a bigger picture,” explained George. The process, he added, involves a prolonged examination of sustainability, health, infrastructure and potential economic growth related to gas development. “We try to look at all these things together,” he said.
George’s research also cited environmental benefits of natural gas consumption. Investment in gas development, however, is likely to delay further development of other renewable sources of energy production, such as wind, solar and hydropower technologies. “Once you invest money into one thing, you may not have money to invest in something else,” he explained.
Evensen focused his presentation on the public perceptions of gas development – a topic he said planners and legislators take a special interest in.
Survey research conducted by Evensen suggests a majority (55 percent) of the population in the Souther Tier get their information about shale gas development from the local newspaper; and 47 percent rely on information from family and friends. However, when questioned about the usefulness of a source when it comes to understanding gas development, most (32 percent) of those surveyed said internet was most helpful.
Moreover, Evensen said research indicates a nearly even split between those who support shale gas development within their community and those who oppose it.
“Local residents need good information to make informed decisions on shale gas development,” he said. “Right now, it’s not clear that residents are receiving reliable information.”
Doctor Brian Rahm of th the New York State Water Resources Institute, offered some insight as to how shale gas development might impact local water sources. Although a “hand full” of accidents have been reported in areas that permit hydraulic fracturing (the contested process of extracting natural gas), there is “no good systematic evidence” that of liquid contaminations from the process when adhered to regulations, he added.
Regardless, there is no such thing as a sure thing, Rahm added. “In some cases, there’s evidence that even treated water (used in hydraulic fracturing) can have a negative impact in downstream quality ... But technology for water treatment does exist, no matter how bad the water gets.”