The Environmental Challenge International
…a student team competition
THE PROBLEM
The Purpose
The Environmental Challenge International gives student teams the opportunity to
develop solutions to a mock environmental problem and have the experience of
presenting their solution to a panel of environmental professionals. We do not give you a
lot of numbers to crunch. We are more interested to hear about the issues involved, how
you interpreted the problem, how you got to your conclusions, and how well you can
communicate your thoughts. We want you to have fun! This exercise gives everyone
attending the conference a chance to participate and gets the professionals of tomorrow
interacting with the professionals of today.
The Problem
Extraction of natural gas from shale formations is one of the fastest growing trends in
American on-shore domestic oil and gas production. It is estimated that the U.S. has
2,119 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, out of which 60% is “unconventional”, and stored
in low permeability formations such as shale, coalbeds, and tight sands.
It is estimated that by the year 2035, shale gas production will increase to 340 billion
cubic meters/year (over 5 times the capacity from 2009), amounting to 47% of the
projected gas production in the United States. Commercial production of shale gas has
become economically viable in the recent few years attributable to advances in horizontal
drilling and hydraulic fracturing (HF), or loosely called as “fracking”. HF is the practice
of injecting liquids at a high pressure into underground rock formations to break apart the
rock and allow the recovery of trapped oil and natural gas.
However, the environmental impacts of HF are not fully quantified, and various agencies
are grappling with the pros and cons of HF in different parts of the country. A key
environmental degradation is the contamination of water underground. Specifically,
methane (a major component of shale gas, up to 90%) migrates to nearby private drinking
water wells. While methane is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas, it can pose an
explosion hazard in confined spaces, especially when it moves from the water into the air.
Other environmental issues are related to emissions from the various activities related to
HF, and their potential impacts on air quality in the near-field.
“King County is blessed to have an economically harvestable natural
resource. Not only will we aid in the nation’s goal for energy
independence, but we will provide jobs with generous pay and benefits
and revitalize the once thriving region. We are excited to be working
closely with the North Carolina General Assembly to expedite our
permitting process to support this blossoming industry. More importantly,
we are excited to be engaging with the citizens of this fine county to create
a positive change that will last forever.”
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The Environmental Challenge International
…a student team competition
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D. Rill Todaigh, CEO Shaleron
Shaleron, a large Energy company is interested in starting HF in King County, North
Carolina due to the documented availability of shale gas, and potentially starting a large
natural gas mining industry in North Carolina. The county commissioners are unsure
about permitting Shaleron to commence HF activities without knowing the environmental
impacts of HF. The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that will allow
issuance of permits for gas drilling companies to begin operations in 2016.
“We have an enormous opportunity and responsibility within King County
to support our constituents and protect our pristine natural environment.
Over the last few decades we have had some difficult times and to pass up
on an opportunity such as this, to rebuild our community economically
and socially, and make our county a destination of choice for industry, is
not something that we can take lightly. We have an enormous opportunity
that we cannot dismiss. We do understand that this opportunity does not
come without sacrifice and we need to ensure we understand the
challenges as much as we do the benefits, especially in regards to
protecting our pristine natural environment…but at what cost.”
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V. Otes Cownt, Chair King County Commission
While the degree of natural gas development that will take place in North Carolina
remains uncertain, there is a growing optimism in King County, North Carolina about the
possibilities for economic growth due to HF.
“For years our community has struggled to bring in good paying jobs.
The only draw for us now is the lush hillsides with amazing hiking, bird
watching, and mountain biking, but this does not support a community.
For those of us, and our families, who have been here for decades we find
ways to make it in our small community, but it’s not easy. And our
community is only getting smaller. The jobs Shaleron is promising and
the economic boost to our community are much needed. To support a
community that prides itself on its natural amenities AND a prosperous
industry is hard to come by.”
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C. On Phoosed, Citizens for a Healthy Community
On the other hand, not everyone is joining the HF bandwagon. Health advocates and
environmental organizations are opposed to the proposal due to several issues such as
increased heavy duty trucks traffic causing increased noise, congestion and air pollution,
water contamination, and other air-borne emissions due to HF activities. Note that King
County has aquifers that currently supply drinking water to two adjacent counties –
Queen County and Prince County – both with large metropolitan areas.
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The Environmental Challenge International
…a student team competition
“King County is one of the most pristine, picturesque, and
prolifically wild areas within the United States, if not the world. Atop the
county’s Mount Green one can see for miles only to get lost and distracted
by the bountiful blues and greens of nature. My family has thrived off this
land for years and it should remain this way for our future generations to
enjoy. To ruin such a beautiful place would be a travesty, and the
introduction of HF and Shaleron would be the worst decision this county
has ever made. The impacts that can be seen of HF on other areas of this
planet are horrifying and unjustified. We’ve been in this county for
hundreds of years and we want to be here for hundreds more. Period.”
-
Nate Turfurst, King County for Conservation
Your Assignment
The King County commissioners have hired you, a team of renowned and unbiased
environmental consultants, to identify and educate the commissioners on alternatives that
will minimize environmental impacts of Sharelron’s proposed HF project. The
commissioners lack the technical expertise on the subject and want to understand, first
and foremost, how Shaleron’s proposed HF project can best minimize environmental
impact. Additionally, they would like to support a solution that is environmentally and
socially responsible, while also promoting economic growth within the county and meet
their voter’s desires. Your proposal will identify your recommended plan for how King
County will proceed with allowing or disallowing HF, and will consist of a written
submittal, poster presentation, and a public presentation.
There is no easy answer that will please everyone completely. You must do your best to
build public support and articulate how your plan provides the most tangible
environmental, economic, and social benefits to enable the King County commissioners
to make a decision and confidently discuss project options with their constituents and
project proponent.
To be successful, you must tactfully and eloquently articulate solutions, issues, concerns,
unknowns, and recommendations for your proposal. There is no easy answer that will
please everyone completely.
At a minimum, you should consider at least three alternatives that weigh environmental,
social, and economic interests. You should have a preferred alternative to present to the
commissioners. You should also address the following questions:
1. How much natural gas is expected to be recovered in King County?
2. What geologic and hydraulic conditions would be bad or good for the
environment?
3. What are the economic growth opportunities due to starting HF in King County?
4. How will you educate, based on your alternatives, the community on technologies
and costs related to minimizing HF environmental impacts?
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The Environmental Challenge International
…a student team competition
5. What are the various new sources of emissions that HF (and
related activities) is likely to create in King County?
6. What are new air quality issues that King County (and other neighboring
counties) likely to face if NC issues Shaleron permits to start HF in King County?
Will water quality be altered by HF?
7. Is water contamination a real problem in King County (and neighboring
counties)?
8. Should King County issue a permit to Shaleron, or deny it based upon your
evaluation? If issued, what permit conditions would you recommend?
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