Preliminary Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Natural Gas obtained by Hydraulic Fracturing
Preliminary Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Natural Gas obtained by Hydraulic Fracturing Robert W. Howarth David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology, Cornell University (1 April 2010 Draft)
Natural gas is being widely advertised and promoted as a clean burning fuel that produces less greenhouse gas emissions than coal when burned. While it is true that less carbon dioxide is emitted from burning natural gas than from burning coal per unit of energy generated, the combustion emissions are only part of story and the comparison is quite misleading. A complete consideration of all emissions from using natural gas seems likely to make natural gas far less attractive than oil and not significantly better than coal in terms of the consequences for global warming.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/eisghgpolicy.pdf
Assessing Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Environmental Impact Statements I. Summary: This document, Guide for Assessing Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in an Environmental Impact Statement, provides instructions to DEC staff for reviewing an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) when the EIS includes a discussion of energy use or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Other state and local agencies may choose to use relevant parts of this guide when serving as SEQR lead agency for a project subject to an EIS that includes a discussion of energy use or GHG emissions. II. Policy: This policy should be used by DEC staff in their review of an EIS when: • DEC is the SEQR lead agency in a project review; and • Energy use or GHG emissions have been identified as significant in a positive declaration or, as a result of scoping, are required to be discussed in an EIS. This policy identifies the methods and boundaries for the assessment of energy use, GHG emissions, and mitigation measures for an EIS. This policy does not create any new requirements under SEQR. It does not establish when the scope of an EIS should include energy use or GHG emissions, nor does it establish a threshold for the determination of significance under SEQR (i.e., when the lead agency must prepare or require the preparation of an EIS). Instead, the statutory and regulatory rules for making the significance determination should continue to be used. [see ECL §8-0109; NYCRR §617.7; SEQR Handbook, Chapter 4, Determining Significance, (www.dec.ny.gov/permits/ 6188.html)] III. Purpose and Background: Global climate change is one of the most important environmental challenges of our time. There is scientific consensus that human activity is increasing the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere and that this, in turn, is leading to serious climate change. These climate changes will continue to affect the environment and natural resources of the State of New York. 1 SEQR was enacted to ensure that protection and enhancement of the environment, including human and community resources, would be given appropriate weight with social and economic considerations in determining public policy. In enacting SEQR, the State Legislature intended that state and local governments “conduct their affairs with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, water, land, and living resources, and that they have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations.” (6 NYCRR §617.1[b]) SEQR requires that lead agencies identify and assess actions for potential adverse environmental impacts. As state and local governments strive to meet this SEQR obligation, they will identify proposed projects that have potentially significant environmental impacts due, in part, to energy use and GHG emissions. Energy use and GHG emissions may either be among the issues identified as significant in a positive declaration, or included based on public scoping for an EIS. Accordingly, the purpose of this Policy is to assist DEC staff in reviewing how energy use and GHG emissions are identified and analyzed in an EIS, so as to allow staff to meet DEC’s obligation under SEQR as well as to combat climate change and maximize energy efficiency. In addition to this Policy, project proponents are welcome to consult with the DEC early in the EIS process with respect to methodology for quantifying emissions. IV. Responsibility: This Policy will be available to DEC staff and the public via the DEC public website. The Office of Climate Change, the Commissioner’s Policy Office, the Office of General Counsel, and the Divisions of Air Resources and Environmental Permits will collaborate on any necessary updates and additions to this policy. The Office of Climate Change and the Division of Air Resources will share the responsibility for providing technical support to staff applying this Policy. When a proposed project involves an air pollution source requiring a permit or registration, the Division of Air Resources will provide technical support regarding GHG emissions from that source. When a proposed project does not involve an air permit, the Office of Climate Change will have primary responsibility for providing technical support. V. Procedure: In cases where DEC is the lead agency or an involved agency in a SEQR review, and energy or climate change impacts have been included in the EIS scope, staff should employ this Policy. Where DEC is an involved agency, DEC staff should advise the lead agency of any identified climate change or energy use impacts.
More of document at:http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/ eisghgpolicy.pdf