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That's why it's so frustrating that Maryland's own efforts to
investigate the potential problems with hydraulic fracturing in the western
part of the state have been thwarted by the industry's failure to support an
independent study. What are the oil and gas companies hiding?
Last year, Gov. Martin O'Malley issued an executive order calling
for the creation of a commission and a study into fracking in Western
Maryland. It was a sensible approach that balanced the concerns about the
possible harmfulness of drilling with the potential economic bounty that
could come from natural gas development.
But the study needs to be funded, and what has advanced so far — a
modest $185,000 survey of "best practices" in other states — is wholly
inadequate. State regulators estimate that what's truly needed is a study
that will look in far greater detail at the consequences to Maryland of
tapping the Marcellus shale deposits. That would cost $2 million.
Companies have balked at financing such a study, perhaps out of fear
that it would set a precedent other states might copy. Their lobbyists
successfully thwarted legislation in the 2012 General Assembly session
that would have financed it with a fee on gas leases. Surely it wasn't the
cost that gave them pause, since one less 30-second Super Bowl ad would
more than make up the expense (with about $1.5 million left over for beer
and chips).
The more likely explanation is that energy companies don't mind a
delay. Natural gas prices have fallen in recent years because of the new
supply, so they are no longer in the same hurry to close leasing deals.
Meanwhile, the governor's executive order will expire when he leaves
office after the 2014 election, and the current moratorium will essentially
end. Perhaps the industry thinks the next administration will be less
protective of the environment and the health of Western Maryland's
residents?
That could happen. What's needed is a law on the books that makes it
clear that companies can't exploit Maryland's natural resources as they've
done in neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia without first funding
an independent study that will fully explore the consequences — the
equivalent of an environmental impact study.