The oil and gas industries want to see wastewater regulations loosened as they consider pumping the water into streams and rivers.
The Environmental Protection Agency is looking into making it easier for oil and gas companies to put wastewater from oil drilling into river and streams. The practice is currently permitted under federal law, but drillers rarely do it as the costs involved in treating the wastewater to meet mandated water standards is high.
“The primary question facing the EPA is whether water standards can be adjusted so oil and gas companies can economically treat wastewater to be pumped into the water supply without contaminating drinking water supplies or killing off local wildlife,” reports James Osborne.
The oil industry is facing the challenge of what to do with the large amounts of wastewater produced from drilling. Seismic and geological concerns about the effects of pumping the water back into the ground have forced operators to send wastewater to disposal sites.
Environmental advocates say the EPA does not have the scientific information about treating wastewater that it needs to make an informed decision. Still, oil and wastewater industry lobbyists are pushing for an ease on regulations. “Their primary case to the EPA is that the treated wastewater could provide a valuable resource for drought-ravaged water supplies in the western United States, with potential uses for agriculture and industry, and even drinking water supplies,” says Osborne.
FULL STORY: EPA weighs allowing oil companies to pump wastewater into rivers, streams
A Housing and Eviction Crisis Still Hangs Over the U.S., Just Like the Pandemic
Checking in with the numerous risks in the housing market as the economic fallout of the pandemic as approaches it approaches its second year.
U.S. Economic Growth Shows Urban-Rural Divide
The economy is improving in places like Texas, but a closer look indicates that cities are taking off while rural areas are lagging behind.
Helping City Workers Live in the City
Local municipalities are offering housing incentives to draw employees and help them live closer to their jobs.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
How the ‘Direct Vision’ Design Approach Saves Lives
Designing large trucks to ensure better visibility for drivers can reduce fatal crashes and improve workplace safety.
San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.
Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland