ANGA Comments on EPA Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Background: Following is a statement by Daniel Whitten, Vice President of Strategic Communications for America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), on EPA's announcement of a schedule to develop wastewater standards for protection of coal bed methane and natural gas from shale formations.

"Like all oversight of natural gas development, wastewater disposal is actively regulated at the state level. ANGA continues to believe that state regulatory professionals are best qualified to assess the unique geological characteristics of the shale plays in their region and the appropriate water disposal requirements that arise from those conditions.  As EPA officials move forward we encourage them to partner with the states and take into serious consideration state regulators' existing on-the-ground expertise and ongoing oversight activities.

"EPA regularly updates the list of effluent limitations guideline rulemakings underway.  Today's updated list signals the opening step in a process to develop federal regulations for wastewater associated with shale gas and coal bed methane extraction.  We are already in contact with the agency and expect to be an active and vocal stakeholder in helping them determine what, if any, additional regulation is necessary and appropriate."

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 30 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us

SOURCE America's Natural Gas Alliance