The Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD), a collaborative between environmental organizations and energy companies to encourage prudent and responsible development of shale gas resources in the Appalachian region, announced its independent third-party certification and verification program is now accepting applicants. CSSD selects Bureau Veritas as its initial independent auditor. 

Certification is based on the Center's 15 initial performance standards that were developed to reflect leading industry practices. Companies can seek certifications in Air & Climate, Water & Waste, or both, concurrently. Auditors will evaluate the applicant's operations to the standards that are specific to the certification a company chooses. Evaluations are expected to take three to six months, with a summary of a completed audit report made accessible on CSSD's web site. In practice, the audit process will center on a comprehensive auditor checklist which details each facet of operations that will be evaluated. The findings are then detailed in a final audit report.

The Center's 15 initial performance standards are: 

Air & Climate Performance Standards

• Limitations on Flaring
• Use of Green Completions
• Reduced Engine Emissions
• Emissions Controls on Storage Tanks

Surface & Ground Water Performance Standards

• Maximizing Water Recycling
• Development of Groundwater Protection Plan
• Closed Loop Drilling
• Well Casing Design
• Groundwater Monitoring
• Wastewater Disposal
• Impoundment Integrity
• Reduced Toxicity Fracturing Fluid

Reproduction of the press release from the PR Newswire and the CSSD.