Although hydraulic fracturing can affect nearby drinking water sources, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency said that those problems were not "widespread" in the U.S. despite years of increasing fracking activity.
The four-year EPA study noted that some well contamination occurred due to spills and leaks, but the report generally appeared to support the position of energy companies that fracking poses little risk to public health.
“Hydraulic fracturing has been used safely in over a million wells, resulting in America’s rise as a global energy superpower, growth in energy investments, wages, and new jobs," said Erik Milito of the American Petroleum Institute.
Fracking involves injecting a highly pressurized mix of sand, water and chemicals into underground shale deposits, which cracks the rock and allow drillers to access to oil or natural gas.
Increasing use of the technique in several states with shale formations led to historically high domestic energy production. The recent plunge in crude prices stemmed that momentum, but a recent report found that falling production costs could soon make the U.S. competitive with other nations even at lower prices.
Environmental advocates, meanwhile, were not swayed by the EPA report.
EPA: No Widespread Effects on Drinking Water From Fracking
Despite years of increasing fracking activity in the U.S., a report from the EPA said it has caused no "widespread" affect on drinking water.
Jun 4, 2015