EPA Science Advisers Challenge Agency Report On The Safety Of Fracking

"Science advisers to the Environmental Protection Agency Thursday challenged an already controversial government report on whether thousands of oil and gas wells that rely on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” systemically pollute drinking water across the nation.

That EPA report, many years in the making and still not finalized, had concluded, 'We did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States,' adding that while there had been isolated problems, those were 'small compared to the number of hydraulically fractured wells.'

The conclusion was widely cited and interpreted to mean that while there may have been occasional contamination of water supplies, it was not a nationwide problem. Many environmental groups faulted the study, even as industry groups hailed it."

Chris Mooney, Steven Mufson, and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post August 11, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Science Board Pushes EPA To Change Major Fracking Report" (The Hill)

"SAB Review of the EPA’s draft Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources" (EPA-SAB)

"EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources" (EPA)

"Hydraulic Fracturing: Advisers Fault EPA's 'Widespread, Systemic' Finding On Water" (E&E News PM)