"Fracking for oil and natural gas can contaminate drinking water under 'some circumstances,' the Environmental Protection Agency said in a report released Tuesday, which changes a previous finding that the drilling process does not cause 'widespread, systemic' effects.

The final report from the agency concludes more than five years of research and backs down from its previous determination that fracking is not a systemic threat to drinking water nationwide.

EPA science adviser Thomas Burke said there were significant gaps in data that limited the agency's ability to examine effects on drinking water both locally and nationally."

Valerie Volcovici reports for Reuters December 13, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Fracking Report Offers Few Answers On Drinking Water" (AP) [3]

"Reversing Course, E.P.A. Says Fracking Can Contaminate Drinking Water" (New York Times) [4]