Will the “Responsibly Sourced Gas” Initiative Secure the Future of Natural Gas?

Abstract

Years ago, during the 2009–2014 time period, as hydraulic fracturing—the unfortunately named “fracking”—was the red-hot target of critics of the natural gas industry, it became very clear that it was critical to satisfy public concerns surrounding the safety and environmental impact of the fracking process. Variations in the behavior of the nation's huge population of natural gas producers rendered the industry vulnerable to its weakest members. In the best-run companies, usually major and large independent companies, there was an intense focus on clean and safe development, dealing with contaminated waste water as well as the sourcing of fracturing water, and in particular ensuring the absolute integrity of underground facilities to prevent the process from ever interacting with drinking water aquifers. Best practices also involved the overall management of the impact of site preparation, the operations themselves, including noise pollution and long-term site management. I argued frequently for the equivalent of a “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for the most responsible producers to have a leg up in permitting, and a market (and price) advantage over others who could not show the same level of responsibility.