Industry is questioning EPA's decision to pursue an analysis of states' permits for effluent discharges from coal bed methane (CBM) operations, saying the analysis is unwarranted and an injudicious use of EPA resources and reiterating its opposition to any future federal effluent limits for CBM operations.rnActivists, however, say a federal effluent limitations guideline (ELG) for CBM is vitally needed to protect water quality and to help states enforce stringent permitting requirements. And some environmentalists are urging EPA to also consider new ELGs for all oil and gas exploration and extraction techniques- including hydraulic fracturing - "that result in contamination of surface and groundwater," according to recent comments on EPA's preliminary 2010 ELG program plan from Earthjustice.
展开▼
