In mid-September, EPA completed the last of seven public meetings in four cities at which it solicited input on the study design for its congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing study. In the Fiscal Year 2010 EPA appropriations legislation, Congress directed EPA to conduct a study of potential effects on drinking water and human health from the hydraulic fracturing – or “fracking” – process, which allows for recovery of natural gas from deep underground shale formations.
EPA is seeking public comment on how to design the study and is taking public comment until September 28. Comments may be submitted electronically to hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov and further information is available here.
EPA plans to move quickly to develop the study, preparing a final research plan by October that will go to the Agency’s Science Advisory Board later this fall, which will offer a further opportunity for public comment. EPA expects to complete the final report by late 2012.
On September 9, EPA Assistant Administrator Paul Anastas (Office of Research and Development) sent voluntary request letters to nine natural gas service companies, seeking data that will be used in the study. The data request asks for information on the chemical composition of fluids used in the fracking process, which has been considered commercially sensitive nonpublic information up to now. EPA’s letter makes it clear that if the companies do not provide the information voluntarily, the Agency is prepared to “use its authorities” to obtain it.
EPA is also considering whether to include fracking in its 2010 effluent guidelines, due in December.
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