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EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study, Seeks Input From Science Advisory Board
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health.
Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment.
To address these concerns and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.
“Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input.”
EPA is in the very early stages of designing a hydraulic fracturing research program. The agency is proposing the process begin with: defining research questions and identifying data gaps; conducting a robust process for stakeholder input and research prioritization; with this input, developing a detailed study design that will undergo external peer-review, leading to implementing the planned research studies.
To support this initial planning phase and guide the development of the study plan, the agency is seeking suggestions and comments from the EPA Science Advisory Board—an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency has requested that the Environmental Engineering Committee of the SAB evaluate and provide advice on EPA’s proposed approach. The agency will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.
Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale Coalition released this statement in response to the EPA study:
"The members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition develop and drill wells in an environmentally responsible manner, including the use of hydraulic fracturing to complete a well for production. Hydraulic fracturing has been an established and proven practice for more than 60 years in Pennsylvania and around the country, and has been regulated successfully by state agencies. There have been no identified groundwater contamination incidents due to hydraulic fracturing, as noted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, other state regulators and the U.S. Groundwater Protection Council.
"Similarly, there have not been impacts to surface water sources due to the practice. Water withdrawals in Pennsylvania are highly regulated by state agencies and water commissions, with a typical permitted withdrawal amounting to about one-half of one percent of the average flow of a stream or river.
"The MSC will provide information and participate as appropriate in EPA's study. Our industry is confident that an objective evaluation of hydraulic fracturing will reach the same conclusion as other studies – that it is a safe and well-regulated process that is essential to the development of natural gas."
At a hearing by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in February, DEP and others noted there have been no documented problems with ground or surface water from the underground fracking process itself, however, there have been signifiant problems in some areas with methane leaking into water wells and surface water spills of fracking fluids. (2/1/2010 PA Environment Digest)
Hydraulic fracturing is a process that drills vertical and horizontal cracks underground that help withdraw gas, or oil, from coalbeds, shale and other geological formations. While each site is unique, in general, the process involves vertical and horizontal drilling, taking water from the ground, injecting fracturing fluids and sands into the formation, and withdrawing gas and separating and managing the leftover waters.
More information on hydraulic fracturing process, visit EPA's website.
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3/22/2010 |
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