I have been able to sit in on some of the rulemaking sessions that the Idaho Department of Lands is holding, for natural gas well drilling (fracking). Overall, it’s felt a lot like David vs Goliath and has been somewhat discouraging.

As I sat there and watched the only one real ‘expert’/spokesperson in the sessions that is truly committed to providing protections for our environment battle, it really was a ‘David & Goliath’ scenario. A very knowledgeable, environmental advocate, Justin Hayes from Idaho Conservation League has had some assistance in these sessions from informed citizens and even a representative from an affected municipality, but overall, it’s just been Mr Hayes fighting ‘Goliath’.

In the latest session on July 21st, the issue of bonding was debated quite heatedly, specifically because of Justin Hayes’ attempts to task the Department of Lands with providing adequate bonding requirements on the natural gas well drilling companies. The Department of Lands had sought out bonding statistics from some other western states that allow fracking, to assist them determining bond amounts.

Essentially, the Department of Lands is leaning towards “blanket bonds” for the natural gas wells, rather than individual bonds for each one. This of course, is the preferred method by the Oil & Gas Industry, because it is the most inexpensive. Then, the Department of Lands likes it, because it will also mean less paperwork, than bonding each individual well.

Justin Hayes (Idaho Conservation League) pointed out to the group that he felt they were making a poor choice by even offering blanket bonds, as that creates a situation where it is possible that taxpayers would be stuck footing the bill if a company abandoned their wells. He argued that every well should be covered by an individual bond.

The ‘gas folks’ really didn’t like that recommendation and the discussion became heated. The gas companies basically said they obviously would not support an individual bond on each well and Eric Wilson from the Idaho Department of Lands decided to just move on from that discussion.

One quick note regarding the bonding amounts. Mr. Wilson commented that these amounts were to cover the cost of plugging and abandoning a well – including reclaiming the surface. He said it is impossible to ‘restore’ the surface area, and that the rules for reclaiming would state something to the affect that 70% of the area’s ground cover must be similar to the surrounding area (apparently this is the standard for mining practices in the state).

Despite the somewhat negative information displayed in this post, I still feel that there are many issues that the communities and their governing agencies can do, to provide proactive protections for the environment. I urge anyone who has been affected by any natural gas drilling activities in any community, to please share with me what actions you have found to make the most impact in this area.

I also know that David did truly slay Goliath, therefore, I have hope.