South Coast Air Quality Management District to Host Fracking Symposium

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012, California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will host a symposium on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” According to the symposium’s synopsis (pdf), the symposium will address environmental concerns raised with the use of fracking in California, focusing on its impact in the South Coast Air Basin. Speakers will discuss how fracking is used and its potential environmental impacts, including air, water, and ground impacts.

The symposium will be conducted in two parts. The morning sessions will provide an overview of the process, existing regulations, and stakeholder perspectives on potential environmental impacts. Topics covered will include air quality impacts, greenhouse gas impacts, fugitive emissions, chemicals used and potential toxicity, water impacts, and seismic risk. The afternoon session will be a policy-level discussion with representatives from federal, state, and local governments, along with industry stakeholders and environmental representatives. They will consider current concerns and future actions to reduce environmental impacts, and will provide recommendations for possible future actions that the SCAQMD may take to further reduce air quality impacts.

The meeting agenda (pdf) lists several noteworthy speakers from government, industry, academia, and advocacy groups, including the following:

• Dr. William Burke, Chairman, SCAQMD Governing Board
• Dr. Iraj Ershaghi, Director, Petroleum Engineering Program, University of Southern California
• Rock Zierman, Chief Executive Officer, California Independent Petroleum Association
• John Kemmerer, Associate Water Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
• Henry Hogo, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Mobile Source, Science & Technology Advancement, SCAQMD
• Dr. Fred Aminzadeh, Department of Geology, University of Southern California
• Tim Kustic, State Oil and Gas Supervisor, Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources
• Dr. Elaine Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources SCAQMD
• Tupper Hull, Vice President of Strategic Communications, Western States Petroleum Association
• Dr. Katharine Moore, Consultant, Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water
• Dr. Joseph K. Lyou, SCAQMD Governing Board
• Assemblymember Betsy Butler (invited), 53rd Assembly District
• Dr. Mark Nechodom, Director, California Department of Conservation
• Damon Nagami, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Dr. Tom Williams, Cal-Fracking Group Coordinator, Sierra Club
• Hector Madariaga, Director of Environmental Affairs, Southern California Gas Company
• Barry R. Wallerstein, Executive Officer, SCAQMD

The symposium will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the SCAQMD offices located at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765 (map). To register for this free symposium, email lmoore [at] aqmd.gov or call Ana Ponce at (909) 396-3008. Additional information regarding the symposium may be found here.

HGA attorney Eric Adair will attend the symposium and provide a summary here on the blog.

For more information regarding California fracking issues, please contact Eric Adair. Follow Eric on Twitter: Follow @kericadair

Related stories:

• Environmental Group Threatens Suit for Fracking-Related Endangered Species Act Violations
• HGA Attorney Eric Adair to Speak on Fracking Panel
• HGA Attorney Eric Adair Featured in EnergyWire Story on California Fracking Legislation
• California Fracking Legislation Stalls in Senate Appropriations Committee
• California’s Fracking Moratorium Bill Placed on Suspense File and Continued to August 16 Hearing
• California’s Proposed Fracking Moratorium Bill Set for Hearing on August 13
• PPIC Study Evaluates Californians’ Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Fracking
• California Department of Conservation Conducts Final Fracking Workshop in Preparation for Rulemaking Process
• HGA Attorney Eric Adair Featured in Pacific Coast Business Times Story on Fracking
• Final California Fracking Workshop Scheduled for July 25 in Sacramento
• Bureau of Land Management Extends Public Comment Period for Federal Fracking Rule
• California Legislator Proposes Fracking Moratorium
• California Department of Conservation to Conduct Second Fracking Workshop in Ventura
• California Department of Conservation to Conduct Fracking Workshops
• Interior Releases Draft Fracking Rule

 

Tagged → AQMD, Fracking, Hydraulic fracturing, SCAQMD