Water Resources Implications of Energy Development

Many new energy technology development programs have potentially significant but poorly understood water resources impacts. Two such technologies currently in the advanced stages of planning and demonstration are oil shale development in the Rocky Mountain region and enhanced gas recovery in the Appalachian region. The paper describes these two energy technologies and their respective water resources impacts. The analysis of western oil shale development focuses on groundwater quality and quantity impacts resulting from mining and in situ retorting activities. The examination of enhanced gas recovery development focuses on sediment load and other impacts resulting from widespread drilling and construction-related land surface modifications. Information and data from current technology demonstrations are integrated into the impact descriptions.