EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards

On Thursday, October 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release announcing a schedule to develop standards for wastewater discharges produced by natural gas extraction from underground coalbed and shale formations.

In the release, the EPA indicated that over the coming months it will begin the process of developing a proposed standard with the input of stakeholders from industry, environment, and public health groups.

The announcement lines up with the “priorities identified in the president’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, and is consistent with the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board recommendations on steps to support the safe development of natural gas resources.”

For more information, visit the EPA’s website for the guidance.