Minimize drilling's threat to clean air

Marcellus Shale natural-gas drilling is a significant source of air pollution, and as drilling expands, so will the risk to human health and the environment.

The drilling, processing, and transportation of Marcellus Shale gas require many pieces of equipment and activities that release harmful pollutants into the air. In fact, gas transmission and production engines are the second-largest emitters of nitrogen oxides in Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, the full extent of these emissions is not known because the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection does not collect air emissions data from wellhead activity. But we do know that this type of drilling has caused serious air-pollution problems elsewhere.

In 2009, Wyoming for the first time failed to meet federal health-based standards for air pollution, primarily due to oil- and gas-related emissions.

The Marcellus Shale air-pollution threat will only increase over time. As many as 60,000 wells may be drilled in Pennsylvania by 2030; right now, there are only about 4,500.

Gas-drilling air pollutants - nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and methane - can cause or exacerbate a variety of respiratory and other health-related conditions. These pollutants can also damage the environment. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide together are the major precursors to acid rain. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.

Last month, I introduced legislation to address these problems. It would do three things:

First, it would require the DEP to collect and publish air-emissions data. This will help the department estimate future emissions as well as the resources needed to properly regulate the drilling industry. This will also help the public better understand the air-pollution issues associated with Marcellus Shale drilling.

Second, it would require air-pollution permits for most Marcellus drilling well-head activity. Currently, all oil- and gas-drilling activity in Pennsylvania is exempted from air-permit requirements because the emissions have been considered too inconsequential.

Finally, it would increase air-emission permit fees and use those additional funds to increase staffing in DEP's air-pollution control program. This program is currently funded almost exclusively by fees collected from air permits, and the program is understaffed.

Together, these measures will help ensure that the Marcellus Shale air threat is kept in check.

Greg Vitali is a Democratic state representative from Delaware County. He serves on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. He can be reached at greg@gregvitali.com.