EPA Identifies Case Studies for Hydraulic Fracturing Study / Agency to conduct field work in various regions of the country starting this summer (HQ)
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today,
in keeping with the Administration’s focus on ensuring that
domestic resources are leveraged safely and responsibly, announced
the next steps in its congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing
study. EPA has identified seven case studies to help inform the
assessment of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking
water resources. The sites identified were selected following
extensive input from stakeholders, including the public, local and
state officials, industry, and environmental organizations. To
ensure the agency maintains the current timeline for the study, the
EPA will begin field work in some of the selected regions this
summer.
Natural gas plays a key role in the nation’s energy future.
EPA is working closely with other federal partners to ensure that
this important resource can be developed safely.
“This is an important part of a process that will use the
best science to help us better understand the potential impacts of
hydraulic fracturing on drinking water,” said Paul Anastas,
Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and
Development. “We’ve met with community members, state
experts and industry and environmental leaders to choose these case
studies. This is about using the best possible science to do what
the American people expect the EPA to do -- ensure that the health
of their communities and families are protected.”
The studies, which will take place in regions across the country,
will be broken into two study groups. Two of the seven sites were
selected as prospective case studies where EPA will monitor key
aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process throughout the
lifecycle of a well.
These areas are located in:
Haynesville Shale - DeSoto Parish, La.
Marcellus Shale - Washington County, Pa.
Five retrospective case studies were selected and will examine
areas where hydraulic fracturing has occurred for any impact on
drinking water resources. These are located in:
Bakken Shale - Kildeer, and Dunn Counties, N.D.
Barnett Shale - Wise and Denton Counties, Texas
Marcellus Shale - Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, Pa.
Marcellus Shale - Washington County, Pa.
Raton Basin - Las Animas County, Colo.
The information gathered from these case studies will be part of an
approach which includes literature review, collection of data and
information from states, industry and communities, laboratory work
and computer modeling. The combination of these materials will
allow us to do a more comprehensive assessment of the potential
impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The
study will continue to use the best available science, independent
sources of information, and will be conducted using a transparent,
peer-reviewed process, to better understand any impacts associated
with hydraulic fracturing.
EPA invited stakeholders from across the country to participate in
the identification of potential case studies through informational
public meetings and the submission of electronic or written
comments. Following thousands of comments, over 40 case studies
were nominated for inclusion in the study. The case studies were
identified, prioritized and selected based on a rigorous set of
criteria. These criteria included proximity of population and
drinking water supplies to activities, concerns about impaired
water quality (retrospective only) and health and environmental
impacts (retrospective only), and knowledge gaps that could be
filled by the case study. Sites were prioritized based on
geographic and geologic diversity, population at risk, site status
(planned, active or completed), unique geological or hydrology
features, characteristics of water resources, and land use.
The draft study plan and additional information: http://www.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing