Geoscience Reference
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and foreign operators of CCS sites is important to understand induced seismic events and
their effects on CCS operations.
OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND COORDINATION OF UNDERGROUND
INJECTION ACTIVITIES FOR MITIGATING INDUCED SEISMICITY
Findings
1.
Induced seismicity may be produced by a number of different energy technologies
and may result from either injection or extraction of fluid. As such, responsibility
for oversight of activities that can cause induced seismicity is dispersed among a
number of federal and state agencies.
2.
Recent, potentially induced seismic events in the United States have been addressed
in a variety of manners involving local, state, and federal agencies, and research
institutions. These agencies and research institutions may not have resources to
address these unexpected events, and more events could stress this ad hoc system.
3.
Currently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary regulatory
responsibility for fluid injection under the Safe Drinking Water Act; however, this
act does not explicitly address induced seismicity. EPA appears to be addressing
the issue of induced seismicity through a current study in consultation with other
federal and state agencies.
4.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has the capability and expertise to address
monitoring and research associated with induced seismic events. However, the
scope of its mission within the seismic hazard assessment program is focused on
large-impact, natural earthquakes. Significant new resources would be required if
the USGS mission is expanded to include comprehensive monitoring and research
on induced seismicity.
Gap
Mechanisms are lacking for efficient coordination of governmental agency response to
seismic events that may have been induced.
Proposed Actions
1.
In order to move beyond the current ad hoc approach for responding to induced
seismicity, relevant agencies including EPA, USGS, land management agencies,
and possibly the Department of Energy, as well as state agencies with authority
and relevant expertise (e.g., oil and gas commissions, state geological surveys, state
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