USEPA Announces a Schedule of Public Meetings on Hydraulic
Fracturing Research
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is hosting four public information
meetings on a proposed study of the relationship between hydraulic fracturing
and its potential impacts on drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing is a process
that helps in production of natural gas or oil from shale and other geological
formations. By pumping fracturing fluids (water and chemical additives) and
sand or other similar materials into rock formations, fractures are created
that allow natural gas or oil to flow from the rock through the fractures to a
production well for extraction. The meetings will provide public information
about the proposed study scope and design. USEPA will solicit public comments
on the draft study plan.
The
public meetings will be held on:
•
July 8, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CDT at the Hilton Fort Worth in Fort
Worth;
•
July 13, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. MDT at the Marriott Tech Center’s
Rocky Mountain Events Center in Denver;
•
July 22, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT at the Hilton Garden Inn in
Canonsburg, Pa.; and
•
Aug. 12, 2010, at the Anderson Performing Arts Center at Binghamton University
in Binghamton, N.Y. Three sessions will be held: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT.
Natural
gas plays a key role in the nation’s clean energy future and hydraulic
fracturing is one way of accessing this vital resource. However, concerns have
been raised about hydraulic fracturing potential impact on drinking water,
human health, and the environment. To address these concerns, USEPA announced
in March that it will study potential adverse impacts that hydraulic fracturing
may have on drinking water.
To
support the initial planning phase and guide the development of a study plan,
the agency sought suggestions and comments from the USEPA Science Advisory
Board, an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency will use
this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.
Stakeholders
are requested to preregister at least 72 hours before each meeting.
For more
information on the meetings, visit USEPA’s website,
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html.
Modified from Oil and Gas Journal v.90 no. 26, June 25,
2010.