ecological-economic contextWhat are the full costs of investing in natural gas drilling, production, and transmission? This report seeks to identify some of the “hidden costs,” those that usually do not have price tags attached. Other studies already completed or underway may provide some of the needed information to establish the full costs of unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) in Maryland, but key information gaps remain. To help fill these gaps, this report focuses on certain external costs, costs not borne by industry and therefore not included in the pricing structure of the product, of Maryland’s existing and potential natural gas system. Key FindingsCosts from drilling in Garrett County Maryland, based on either a 25% or 75% extraction scenario, total between $17.9 and $107.1 million (the total does not include ecosystem services foregone during pipeline construction, which are a one-time cost, not a cost that recurs annually). Other costs estimated in the report include public health effects, motor vehicle accidents, road damage, the social cost of carbon, and ecosystem services foregone.
outcomesOn April 7th, 2017, Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation to permanently ban hydraulic fracturing in Maryland. |
ResourcesTechnical Report detailing a 25% and 75% gas extraction scenarios in Garrett County, Maryland and a subset of costs that would accrue. |
“I feel like if fracking comes to our neighborhood ... we will no longer be able to stay there because it would be very unhealthy. I don’t feel like I’d have the integrity to be able to feel good about my product that I was selling.”
—Katharine Dubansky, Owner of an 106-acre organic Backbone Food Farm in Garrett County
—Katharine Dubansky, Owner of an 106-acre organic Backbone Food Farm in Garrett County