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NEMWI Contributes to Shale Network Workshop
Elin Betanzo, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, participated in the 2015 Shale Network Workshop May 7-8, 2015. Ms. Betanzo presented preliminary results from her case study, which is a collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. The case study explores the amounts of water data needed and available to answer "Do shale gas development activities contaminate surface water or groundwater?" in the Susquehanna River Basin.
Ms. Betanzo stated that most existing long-term water monitoring sites the Susquehanna River Basin are not located in areas with a high density of high volume hydraulic fracturing wells. A more targeted monitoring approach is needed to obtain the data needed to answer this policy question. Her presentation contributed to the larger discussion about quantifying monitoring needs for detecting water-quality change, identifying effective monitoring sites, and next steps for collecting data to understand the potential impacts of shale development on water resources.
The workshop focused on water quality related to shale gas development in the Marcellus Shale region. Organizers brought together academics, private industry, state and local government, and non-governmental organizations to discuss the availability of water-quality data, water monitoring strategies, and data analysis regarding potential shale gas development impacts on water resources. The report, expected to be released later this year on the NEMWI website, will provide policy makers with a valuable tool to inform decisions regarding shale gas development, water monitoring, and information sharing.
For more information, contact Elin Betanzo, Sr. Policy Analyst, at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Key Regional Legislation on Tap for Capitol Hill this Week
The House and Senate are both back in session for the week of May 11. Here are a few activities to watch, relevant to the region:
- Waters of the U.S.: On Tuesday, the House was expected to consider on the floor H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015. The bill would halt the current "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) rulemaking process by directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed WOTUS rule within 30 days, and then consult with state and local officials on how to address the Clean Water Act jurisdiction issue within three months. Among a handful of amendments to be debated, the House will consider one offered by Rep. Donna Edwards (MD-4), member of the House NEMW Coalition. The intent of the Edwards' amendment would be to take into account the concerns of rule opponents, by limiting what the Army Corps and EPA can include in the final rule.
- The House Appropriations Committee will review two major spending bills this week. The NEMWI will provide updated funding levels and policy provisions included in each spending bill.
- The House Appropriations Committee will review its bill funding the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The draft bill, considered by the Subcommittee, has been released. The bill for the full Committee, along with the report language where many smaller program numbers are included, is generally released to the public 24 hours prior to the Committee meeting.
- On Thursday, the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee will review its draft funding bill for the Departments of Commerce and Justice as well as other science agencies, like the National Science Foundation; 10:30 AM, Room H-140 Capitol Building.
- Other hearings this week:
- Wednesday - House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing on a discussion draft addressing Hydropower Regulatory Modernization; 10:00 AM, Room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.
- Wednesday - House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research hearing to review the federal coordination and response regarding pollinator health; 1:30 PM, Room 1300 Longworth House Office Building.
- Thursday - House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources legislative hearing on H.R. 1644, "To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to ensure transparency in the development of environmental regulations, and for other purposes. "Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act (STREAM Act)." H.R. 1644 would block the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement from promulgating a new stream protection rule, while tasking the Board of Earth Sciences and Resources with studying the current stream buffer zone rule. 10:00 AM, Room 1334 Longworth House Office Building.
For more information, Mark Gorman, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute or
Danielle Chesky
, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
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