EPA Identifies Pennsylvania Sites for National Study on Hydraulic Fracturing (PA)
(WASHINGTON June
23, 2011) – 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. Three of the case studies will take place in
Pennsylvania in the Marcellus Shale.
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 our 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 is
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 ares are located in:
Bakken Shale - Kildeer and Dunn Countiesy, ND
Barnett Shale - Wise and Denton Counties, TX
Marcellus Shale - Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, PA
Marcellus Shale - Washington County, PA
Raton Basin - Las Animas County, CO
The information we gather 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.
For a copy of the draft study plan and additional
information: http://www.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing