EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Agency seeks input from Science Advisory Board

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e77fdd4f5afd88a3852576b3005a604f/ba591ee790c58d30852576ea004ee3ad!OpenDocument

EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Agency seeks input from Science Advisory Board

Release date: 03/18/2010

Contact Information: Enesta Jones (MEDIA CALLS ONLY), [e-mail], 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355, Lina Younes (PUBLIC INQUIRIES ONLY), [e-mail], 202-564-9924

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment. To address these concerns and strengthen our clean energy future and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.

“Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input.”

EPA is in the very early stages of designing a hydraulic fracturing research program. The agency is proposing the process begin with (1) defining research questions and identifying data gaps; (2) conducting a robust process for stakeholder input and research prioritization; (3) with this input, developing a detailed study design that will undergo external peer-review, leading to (4) implementing the planned research studies.

To support this initial planning phase and guide the development of the study plan, the agency is seeking suggestions and comments from the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB)—an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency has requested that the Environmental Engineering Committee (EEC) of the SAB evaluate and provide advice on EPA’s proposed approach. The agency will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process that drills vertical and horizontal cracks underground that help withdraw gas, or oil, from coalbeds, shale and other geological formations. While each site is unique, in general, the process involves vertical and horizontal drilling, taking water from the ground, injecting fracturing fluids and sands into the formation, and withdrawing gas and separating and managing the leftover waters.

A federal register notice was issued March 18, announcing a SAB meeting April 7-8.

More information on hydraulic fracturing: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html

More information on the SAB and the supporting documents: http://www.epa.gov/sab

[malakai2]

1. It's good that we waited until the process was deployed on a large scale

Wouldn't want EPA to be proactive in determining the safety of something that can't be fixed once it's broken. Very much like the DDT and PCBs that are still in the bottom of the river here and show up in the fish from time to time.

BTW, if you've been following the spot-on flea and tick pet treatment saga, EPA's response to that is to require more wording on the product label and then wait to see if more complaints of pet deaths come in before maybe rescinding the label entirely.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Well, I'd say it's a bit more than wording on the product labels

For example:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=84407&mesg_id=84407

...

· Restricting the use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the incidents.

...

[malakai2]

7. This is the EPA pesticide division

Their review of pesticides for labeling is a series of exposure tests involving the active ingredient, not an exhaustive battery by any means, and a narrower series of tests of the other ingredients the applicant labels as inerts. Inerts in pesticides are not technically inert in the way you might imagine beach sand to be inert, inert as used on pesticide labels means the item in question does not act in the specified manner on the target pest. Inerts in common pesticides include things like diesel, fuel oil, formaldehyde, and castor oil. The manufacturers are allowed to claim inert status for ingredients to protect trade secrets, which is done with the spot-on products. Trouble is, if those limited tests of the inerts didn't show problems in this case, running them through the same battery a second time under existing regulations isn't going to change the results this time around. On the other hand, if the results of the inert tests DID show a problem the first time around and upper management decided to ignore the results-and that is a frequent complaint of staff researchers in that division-the formulation could change. Not that we'd know, the applicants are not required to disclose the inerts, FOIA does not apply, and I have a strong suspicion that upper management would not require change beyond new wording on the labeling unless the public knew the identity of a noxious inert.

The tangible change that's happening now is they are changing the label. Well, they are proposing to change the label. We'll see how that goes.

[tabasco]

3. Thank you very much for posting this.

Trying to protect our water in WV.

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. You're welcome

Sittin' on top of the Marcellus shale myself... ("Drill baby drill!") :banghead:

[joshcryer]

4. Seeing all these posts about the EPA is so refreshing.

Under Bush the EPA was basically neutered.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. Yeah, it's great to see the EPA is back in business

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d985312f6895893b852574ac005f1e40/2297c12a9f4773d285257547006497d4!OpenDocument

“I am honored by the confidence and faith President Obama and the Senate have reposed in me to lead the EPA in confronting the environmental challenges currently before us. As Administrator, I will ensure EPA’s efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency. By keeping faith with these values and unleashing innovative, forward-thinking approaches – we can further protect neighborhoods and communities throughout the country.”