With everyone's attention focused on the Gulf oil spill clean-up efforts, there is another environmental controversy brewing in the energy sector. While hydraulic fracturing and pressure pumping have been hailed for their ability to open up new reservoirs of oil and gas in the United States, there is growing concern about the environmental impact of these activities. Although I do not think these worries are ever going to shut down operations in areas like the Marcellus Shale, energy investors need to keep an eye on this issue.
What the Frack?
In simple terms, hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", is a process by which drilling companies force fluids down a bore hole and use that pressure to crack the rock. Those cracks are then kept open with additional additives called proppants (sometimes sand, but increasingly purpose-built ceramic particles). Oil and gas that was previously trapped within the pores of that rock can then migrate out through those cracks and up the well.
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A quick note on spelling conventions ... I realize a lot of industry insiders spell it as "fracing" or "fraccing", but there are just as many sources out there that use "fracking". I have no dog in the hunt.
Regulation is the ever-present risk for utility companies, and this came to the fore again this week with new potential EPA pollution regulations. In particular, these rules will target emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particles. If the EPA gets its way and the rules go into effect, it will mean tougher air pollution standards that affect 31 states in the eastern half of the United States. (Check out Save The Earth: Become A Capitalist.)
Regulations always come with costs, though, and this one is no different. As the primary producers in the affected areas, American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), Southern Company (NYSE:SO) and Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) would face the brunt of the new rules.
Although the EPA says the regulations will add $2.8 billion a year in new costs, you can assume that the industry will disagree and point to higher costs. After all, these companies are going to face tough decisions about buying new technology, switching fuels, and shutting down small plants. Couple that with expected new rules on mercury emissions, and the industry is going to be facing some serious budgeting decisions in the coming years.
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