The new Center for Sustainable Shale Development, a collective of both drilling companies and environmentalist groups, have proposed a new standards certification program. This fact sheet is a very short, very condensed version of what the new standards address.

1. Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD)
Fact Sheet on Producer Performance Standards
Organization’s Initial Focus on 15 Initial Standards
The newly formed Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD) announced that it has established
15 initial performance standards that are protective of air quality, water resources and climate.
While full details on the standards are available at www.sustainableshale.org, the major areas addressed
by the initial performance standards include:
Air and Climate protection, including:
Limitations on Flaring
Use of Green Completions/Reduced Emissions
Reduced Engine Emissions
Emissions Controls on Storage Tanks
Surface and Ground Water Protection, including:
Maximizing Water Recycling
Development of Groundwater Protection Plans
Closed Loop Drilling
Well Casing Design
Groundwater Monitoring
Wastewater Disposal
Impoundment Integrity
Reduced Toxicity Fracturing Fluid
CSSD also plans to collaboratively develop and share best practices.
It is anticipated that these performance standards will expand and evolve over time as new information
is developed. These standards will form the foundation of CSSD’s independent, third-party certification
process.
Gas producers can begin seeking certification in these areas later in 2013.
1