{"id":86296,"date":"2024-09-19T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/?p=86296"},"modified":"2024-09-24T20:47:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T00:47:24","slug":"pennsylvania-fracking-wastewater-lithium-extraction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/19092024\/pennsylvania-fracking-wastewater-lithium-extraction\/","title":{"rendered":"A Company\u2019s Struggles Raise Questions About the Future of Lithium Extraction in Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When a new study suggested that vast quantities of the critical mineral lithium<\/a> could be found in Pennsylvania\u2019s fracking wastewater, Eureka Resources seemed perfectly positioned to take advantage of the frenzy of publicity that followed. In 2023, Eureka announced it had extracted 97 percent pure lithium carbonate from fracking wastewater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But just a year later, the wastewater treatment company has idled a facility, withdrew its permit application for a new project, intends to sell or close two more sites and faces scrutiny for environmental and workplace safety violations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For activists and experts who keep a close eye on the oil and gas industry, Eureka\u2019s troubles raise doubts about the economic viability of using Pennsylvania\u2019s fracking wastewater as a source for lithium, since Eureka is the only company in the state to successfully extract lithium from wastewater. It\u2019s also the latest example of the problems created by a sprawling and under-regulated oil and gas waste disposal system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil and gas waste<\/a> can contain radioactive elements like radium, toxic metals including arsenic and lead and cancer-causing chemicals like benzene. What happens to all of that waste\u2014and how much of it ends up in the state\u2019s waterways, air and soil\u2014is still an unresolved question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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