“A 2011 analysis by federal scientists found liquid waste from Marcellus shale gas wells had overall concentrations of radium roughly 40 times what the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission classifies as “hazardous” or “radioactive.” Despite these characteristics, Congress in 1980 exempted oil and gas waste from federal hazardous waste regulations pending a review. In 1988, the U.S. EPA determined that the regulations were not warranted. That’s why cuttings and other fracking solid waste are classified as residual waste (non-hazardous industrial waste) and can be sent to municipal landfills like Westmoreland.”
This story documents how byproducts of Fracking create hazards and costs downstream, and how the industry dodges paying for them.
All the Fracking Companies have to do is fill out a form from the PA DEP, the “Don’t Expect Protection” Department saying that the used fracking fluid,or “flowback” has “beneficial use,” and voila, they can get rid it anyway they can. Selling it, giving it away, just taking a tank truck and driving down the road and opening up the valves and letting it all leak out as they drive away. They have used it for “dust control,” for de-icing, or preparation for snow, ice and “wintry mix” storms, on rural, unpaved and paved highways.