Feds reject plan to pump Moneta oilfield waste into potential drinking water

Federal Officials Reject Aethon Energy’s Request to Pump Oilfield Wastewater into Madison Aquifer

by Angus M. Thuermer Jr., WyoFile

Introduction

Federal environmental officials have denied a request by Aethon Energy to dispose of Moneta Divide oilfield wastewater into the Madison aquifer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected the state’s decision to allow wastewater disposal, stating that the deep reservoir could potentially serve as a source of drinking water, particularly for tribal nations on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

EPA’s Decision and Rationale

The EPA’s decision was based on several factors, including the potential use of the aquifer for drinking water by tribal communities, in alignment with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The agency also emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, environmental justice, and tribal interests. The EPA’s decision reflects its commitment to protecting groundwater resources and ensuring access to clean water for future generations.

“We have to make sure our future generations have a reliable source of clean water.”

Wes Martel

Wes Martel, a member of the Wind River Water Resources Control Board, expressed satisfaction with the EPA’s decision, stating that it demonstrates a commitment to following through on Indian policy.

Tribal Interests and Cultural Significance

The EPA’s decision also took into account the interests of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, who anticipate an increased reliance on groundwater for drinking water due to climate change and water scarcity. The tribes have historic cultural and spiritual ties to the land and water, and their status as sovereign nations was recognized in the EPA’s decision.

Martel emphasized the importance of protecting the reservation’s water resources for future generations, as it is their only remaining source of clean water. Organizations like the Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Wyoming Outdoor Council have played a crucial role in monitoring pollution threats and challenging industry permits to safeguard water quality.

Challenges and Water Disposal

Aethon Energy must find an alternative method for disposing of produced water, which is a brine extracted from energy wells to release gas and oil. The company plans to expand the Moneta Divide field by 4,500 wells, generating significant revenue. However, Aethon has violated state permits by pumping produced water into creeks that flow into a drinking water source, resulting in impaired water quality.

The EPA’s decision highlighted the need to address climate change, drought, increasing temperatures, and competing water usage to protect the Madison aquifer. The agency emphasized the importance of maintaining existing protections under the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure equitable access to high-quality drinking water for rural and overburdened communities.

Response and Further Action

Aethon Energy and the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission have not yet responded to the EPA’s decision. However, Tom Kropatsch, oil and gas supervisor for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, expressed disagreement with the EPA’s decision and stated that they are reviewing the information used by the EPA before considering further action.

This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places, and policy.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the issue of wastewater disposal into the Madison aquifer, which is connected to the availability of clean water (SDG 6). It also mentions climate change and drought as reasons to preserve the aquifer, highlighting the connection to climate action (SDG 13). Additionally, the article mentions tribal interests and the need to protect water resources and community health, which aligns with the goal of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

The article highlights the need to protect the Madison aquifer as a potential source of drinking water, which relates to the target of ensuring sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater (Target 6.4). The mention of climate change and drought as reasons to preserve the aquifer connects to the target of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1). The discussion of tribal interests and the importance of decision-making that considers equity and environmental justice aligns with the target of ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making (Target 16.7).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, the issue of wastewater disposal into the aquifer can be measured using Indicator 6.4.2, which assesses the level of water stress by comparing freshwater withdrawal to available freshwater resources. The impacts of climate-related hazards and natural disasters can be measured using Indicator 13.1.1, which tracks the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters. The inclusivity of decision-making processes can be measured using Indicator 16.7.1, which looks at the proportions of different population groups in public institutions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Fuente: oilcity.news

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