The Denver Post is reporting that over 5-million gallons of pollutants were spilled at oil and gas job sites in Colorado over the past 2 ½ years. The cynic in me is wondering how many spills went unreported by small companies who thought they could get away with it. Small wildcatters might prioritize avoiding a fine that would negatively impact their bottom line.
Of the 981 reported spills, 236 (24.1%) were in Garfield County, although I don’t know how many Garfield County spills happened in the three precincts that are in Senate District 7. The largest source of spills was drilling water (47%.) Of the spills, 27.9% impacted either surface or ground water. 80.5% of the spills were caused either by equipment failure or human error.
During the period of review only two fines were assessed. Both stemmed from the contamination of springs near Parachute, caused when pits leaked. What leaked? Drilling wastewater and hydrocarbons from oil and gas. State inspectors reported finding elevated levels of benzene in the polluted springs.
Benzene is a known carcinogen. Breathing high levels of benzene can cause death, even if the exposure is short term. Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause death. Long term exposure to benzene can cause anemia, depression of the immune system, and leukemia. Benzene causes cancer in both animals and humans.
America isn’t going to stop using carbon fuels any time soon. We depend on them for the energy that fuels our economy and our homes. This report points out two things: we need robust regulation of extractive industries with trained, objective inspectors; and we need to move as fast as we possibly can toward green energy.
Homework:
Analysis of Colorado Oil and Gas Spills
Benzene
Of the 981 reported spills, 236 (24.1%) were in Garfield County, although I don’t know how many Garfield County spills happened in the three precincts that are in Senate District 7. The largest source of spills was drilling water (47%.) Of the spills, 27.9% impacted either surface or ground water. 80.5% of the spills were caused either by equipment failure or human error.
During the period of review only two fines were assessed. Both stemmed from the contamination of springs near Parachute, caused when pits leaked. What leaked? Drilling wastewater and hydrocarbons from oil and gas. State inspectors reported finding elevated levels of benzene in the polluted springs.
Benzene is a known carcinogen. Breathing high levels of benzene can cause death, even if the exposure is short term. Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause death. Long term exposure to benzene can cause anemia, depression of the immune system, and leukemia. Benzene causes cancer in both animals and humans.
America isn’t going to stop using carbon fuels any time soon. We depend on them for the energy that fuels our economy and our homes. This report points out two things: we need robust regulation of extractive industries with trained, objective inspectors; and we need to move as fast as we possibly can toward green energy.
Homework:
Analysis of Colorado Oil and Gas Spills
Benzene
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