Shale Gas | EPA | Air Emission Rule Changes Coming (Scientific American)

Shale Gas Boom Draws EPA Plan to Limit Air Pollution

Drilling for unconventional supplies of oil and natural gas has prompted the EPA to plan to regulate its air pollution

By Joel Kirkland and ClimateWire  | July 29, 2011 | 1

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AIR POLLUTION: he boom in drilling for natural gas has prompted the EPA to plan to regulate the industry's air pollution.Image: danielfoster437/Flickr

With unconventional oil and natural gas drilling spreading across much of the country, U.S. EPA said yesterday it plans to regulate the industry's air emissions tied to public health problems and that contribute toglobal warming.

This comes as environmental groups, regulators and the booming natural gas industry debate how to safely drill tens of thousands of shale gas wells in the coming decade. The growing U.S. onshore gas supply is seen as a cleaner fuel source for electric utilities that burn a lot of coal, but there is a push for environmental regulations to accompany the boom.

"Small-town America shouldn't have Los Angeles-quality air, but in areas where gas drilling is booming that's exactly the case," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.). "Until we can close industry exemptions and loopholes within the law, this overdue update to our clean air laws is welcome and desperately needed."

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