The American Petroleum Institute now has a set of standards for how companies operate in communities that are home to shale drilling sites. The goal is to ease fears regarding fracking around the U.S.
The plan includes using what the industry refers to as “best practices” gleaned from over six decades of fracking experience.
API director of standards David Miller says the reason for the move is, “The energy revolution is now occurring in areas of the country where oil and natural gas exploration doesn’t have the same history as Texas or Oklahoma.
While the standards include steps oil and gas companies should take to help residents prepare for energy exploration, minimize interruption to the community, and manage resources. It does not address concerns about the practice of fracking, such as methane leakage and potential water contamination.
It may be a case of too little too late for some states. A New York has court has ruled towns have the authority to ban gas drilling within their borders. The ruling comes as state officials consider whether to lift a moratorium on fracking.
In Colorado, five cities have voted to ban fracking.
(source: Reuters)
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