Meghan Hodges
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a popular technique used to extract oil and gas by cracking shale rock deep underground. While fracking is a less water-intensive process in the long run compared to other energy extraction methods, it still uses a significant amount of water and can produce air pollutants. In Tennessee, a process called nitrogen fracking is used, which the TDEC calls dry fracking. However, it still uses 2-4 tankers of water per well, and the oil and gas industry are exempt from federal acts that protect water sources. There is concern that fracking in Tennessee may be polluting groundwater, similar to how it has contaminated water sources in other states such as Wyoming and Virginia.
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen fracking in Tennessee
Nitrogen fracking, a process involving the injection of nitrogen and water into gas wells in karst geology, is occurring in Tennessee. This process is considered harmful to groundwater, drinking water, and surface water. While the state has adopted fracking regulations, there are concerns about their effectiveness in protecting water sources.
In Tennessee, the practice of nitrogen fracking has raised concerns about its impact on groundwater pollution. Nitrogen fracking, also known as "dry" fracking, involves injecting nitrogen and water into gas wells in karst geology. According to Jonathan Burr of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), this process can use 2 to 4 tankers of water per well. The TDEC and the Tennessee Oil and Gas Board (TOGA) passed regulations in 2012 to oversee the oil and gas industries. However, critics argue that these rules did not adequately address recommendations from environmental groups, such as establishing a baseline system for monitoring water quality before and after drilling.
One of the main concerns with nitrogen fracking in Tennessee is its potential impact on groundwater. Groundwater is particularly vulnerable to contamination in karst geology, which is characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. The injection of nitrogen and water at high pressure can create fractures in the rock, providing pathways for chemicals and pollutants to migrate into aquifers and contaminate drinking water sources.
While the Clean Water Act regulates pollution discharges into surface waters, there are concerns about its enforcement and the potential loopholes that allow the oil and gas industry to bypass certain regulations. Additionally, the threshold set by the regulations in Tennessee means that if fewer than 200,000 gallons of water are used to frack a well, the industry is exempt from monitoring groundwater or notifying the public. This loophole has been criticized by environmental groups and raises questions about the transparency and accountability of fracking operations in the state.
The potential impact of nitrogen fracking on water quality in Tennessee is a significant issue. While there have been efforts to regulate the industry, the effectiveness of these regulations and their ability to protect water sources remain uncertain. As nitrogen fracking continues to be practiced in the state, further research, monitoring, and stringent regulations are necessary to safeguard Tennessee's water resources and the health of its residents.
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Fracking's impact on drinking water
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process used to extract oil and gas by cracking shale rock deep underground. This process has raised concerns about its potential impact on drinking water sources. In Tennessee, a process called nitrogen fracking or "dry" fracking is used, which still requires the use of water and can impact groundwater, drinking water, and surface water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has studied the impact of fracking on drinking water, and their findings suggest that while fracking can impact drinking water resources under certain circumstances, there is no evidence of widespread, systemic impacts. The 2015 EPA report identified conditions under which impacts from hydraulic fracturing activities can be more frequent or severe, but also noted uncertainties and data gaps that limited their ability to fully assess the impacts.
One case study from Pavillion, Wyoming, where people complained of bad taste and smell in their drinking water, suggested the presence of toxic chemicals in the groundwater. However, subsequent testing by state regulators and the company operating in the basin found no evidence of water quality changes due to oil and gas operations, and it was declared generally suitable for use.
The main pollutants released during fracking include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants are regulated by the EPA and state agencies under the Clean Air Act. Additionally, the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of any pollutants into surface waters, and oil and gas operators must obtain permits for produced water discharges.
While some studies suggest that fracking can contaminate drinking water sources under certain conditions, other studies, such as the Yale-led investigation, found no evidence of contamination from hydraulic fracturing. Strong regulations and oversight, such as those in Colorado, can help ensure that fracking is done responsibly and protect water supplies.
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EPA's role in regulating fracking
In 2010, the EPA was tasked with determining the relationship between hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and drinking water. The final report, released in 2016, provided qualitative information on factors that could negatively impact drinking water at a local level. The EPA reviewed around 1,200 sources of data and information but concluded that data gaps and uncertainties made it challenging to fully assess fracking's impact on drinking water.
The EPA's role in regulating fracking involves setting requirements and providing guidance to minimize risks to underground sources of drinking water. The Safe Drinking Water Act's (SDWA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, for example, sets standards for well siting, construction, and operation. While fracking is generally regulated at the state level, federal laws like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act also apply.
The EPA has also studied wastewater management methods in the oil and gas industry, addressing the safe and legal disposal of wastewater containing high levels of salt, organic and inorganic chemicals, metals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials. The EPA's 2016 pretreatment standards for the Oil and Gas Extraction Category prohibit the discharge of wastewater pollutants from onshore unconventional oil and natural gas extraction facilities.
However, critics argue that the EPA's regulations are not stringent enough, and there is a constant tension between industry and environmentalists. The EPA's 2015 report on hydraulic fracturing and groundwater supply, for instance, found no connection between the two, but scientists within the agency questioned the report's integrity. Furthermore, the EPA's attempts to strengthen regulations have faced strong opposition from the oil and gas lobby, which wields significant influence.
In recent years, there have been efforts to roll back EPA regulations, with administrator Lee Zeldin announcing plans to reconsider core policies, including emissions standards and climate change findings. Despite assertions that the EPA remains committed to safeguarding human health and the environment, critics argue that these rollbacks prioritize cost-cutting over the collective human right to clean air and water.
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State vs federal regulatory authority
In the United States, fracking regulations are largely implemented at the state level, unlike other countries where federal governments are the primary regulators. While states have primary regulatory authority over fracking, oil and gas operators must meet the requirements of federal environmental and public health laws. These include the Clean Air Act, which regulates air pollutants emitted during oil and gas production; the Clean Water Act, which regulates all pollution discharges into surface waters and requires permits for produced water discharge; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, which mandates the reporting of hazardous substance releases and enables the EPA to investigate and enforce restoration.
The 2005 Act also authorized state governments to regulate fracking as it relates to underground drinking water sources, with the EPA or authorized state agencies regulating Class II injection wells to ensure drinking water quality. However, conflicts have arisen between state and local governments over the authority to ban or allow fracking. For instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stripped localities of their right to institute local bans, while New York State recently upheld its ban on fracking operations.
The variation in state regulations and the absence of overarching federal regulatory infrastructure have led to concerns about inadequate protection against the effects of fracking, such as toxic chemical exposure and accelerated climate change. While stronger federal regulation has proven successful in other countries, the oil and gas lobby has historically opposed legislative attempts to grant the EPA greater authority over fracking.
In Tennessee, a process called nitrogen fracking, or "dry" fracking, is used, and it has been linked to the contamination of groundwater with chemicals. The state initially believed it lacked the regulatory authority over hydrofracking but later refused to exercise its regulatory power. Additionally, the oil and gas industry in Tennessee is exempt from several federal acts, including the Clean Water Act and the Drinking Water Act, through the Haliburton Exemption.
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Fracking's environmental impact in the US
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process that involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. While this process has made the United States a global leader in natural gas and crude oil production, it has also had significant negative environmental and health impacts.
One of the main concerns with fracking is its impact on water resources. Fracking requires a large amount of water, with each well using hundreds of thousands or millions of gallons. This water is typically contaminated with chemicals and cannot be cleaned up for other uses, effectively removing it from the water supply. There is also evidence that fracking has contributed to groundwater contamination due to the chemicals used and the disposal of wastewater. For instance, a study in Wyoming found that the groundwater in the Wind River Basin was contaminated with chemicals linked to hydraulic fracturing, and residents in Pavillion reported a bad taste and smell in their drinking water. Additionally, fracking can result in the release of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog.
Another issue with fracking is the potential for air pollution. The process can release toxic chemicals and methane emissions into the air, which can have negative health impacts. A study of fracking sites in southwest Pennsylvania found that drilling operations were releasing plumes of methane at a rate 100 to 1,000 times higher than expected by the EPA. Furthermore, the infrastructure built to support fracking, such as well pads, access roads, and pipelines, can directly damage land and turn rural landscapes into industrial zones.
Fracking has also been associated with increased seismicity and negative impacts on human and ecosystem health. Research has linked fracking to various health issues, including cancer, endocrine disruption, neurological and immune system problems, migraine headaches, chronic rhinosinusitis, severe fatigue, asthma exacerbations, and psychological stress. Additionally, the potential human health impacts of many of the chemicals used in fracking formulas are unknown, and the industry remains under-regulated despite mounting evidence of its negative consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Nitrogen fracking, which uses 2-4 tankers of water per well, is known to occur in Tennessee. This form of fracking is harmful to groundwater, drinking water, and surface water. However, no specific locations in Tennessee where fracking is polluting the groundwater were found.
A 2024 Stanford University study found that fracking contaminated the groundwater in Pavillion, Wyoming. The study detected organic chemicals used in fracking fluids, such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, in water samples from the area.
The main pollutants released during fracking include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants can react to produce ground-level ozone, or smog, and are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies under the Clean Air Act.
