This EPA action is well overdue.

Enviro News: EPA Formally Requests Information From Companies About Chemicals Used in Natural Gas Extraction

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Sep 9, 2010 4:20 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Formally Requests Information From Companies About Chemicals Used in Natural Gas Extraction
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>





From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 3:28 PM
Subject: EPA News Release (HQ): EPA Formally Requests Information From
Companies About Chemicals Used in Natural Gas Extraction



CONTACT:
Jalil Isa
isa.jalil@epa.gov <mailto:isa.jalil@epa.gov>
202-564-3226
202-564-4355


EPA Formally Requests Information From Companies About Chemicals Used in
Natural Gas Extraction

Information on hydraulic fracturing chemicals is key to agency study of
potential impacts on drinking water

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today
announced that it has issued voluntary information requests to nine
natural gas service companies regarding the process known as hydraulic
fracturing. The data requested is integral to a broad scientific study
now underway by EPA, which Congress in 2009 directed the agency to
conduct to determine whether hydraulic fracturing has an impact on
drinking water and the public health of Americans living in the vicinity
of hydraulic fracturing wells.

In making the requests of the nine leading national and regional
hydraulic fracturing service providers - BJ Services, Complete
Production Services, Halliburton, Key Energy Services, Patterson-UTI,
PRC, Inc., Schlumberger, Superior Well Services, and Weatherford - EPA
is seeking information on the chemical composition of fluids used in the
hydraulic fracturing process, data on the impacts of the chemicals on
human health and the environment, standard operating procedures at their
hydraulic fracturing sites and the locations of sites where fracturing
has been conducted. This information will be used as the basis for
gathering further detailed information on a representative selection of
sites.

"This scientifically rigorous study will help us understand the
potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water - a concern
that has been raised by Congress and the American people. By sharing
information about the chemicals and methods they are using, these
companies will help us make a thorough and efficient review of hydraulic
fracturing and determine the best path forward," said EPA Administrator
Lisa P. Jackson. "Natural gas is an important part of our nation's
energy future, and it's critical that the extraction of this valuable
natural resource does not come at the expense of safe water and healthy
communities. EPA will do everything in its power, as it is obligated to
do, to protect the health of the American people and will respond to
demonstrated threats while the study is underway."

Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which large volumes of water, sand
and chemicals are injected at high pressures to extract oil and natural
gas from underground rock formations. The process creates fractures in
formations such as shale rock, allowing natural gas or oil to escape
into the well and be recovered. During the past few years, the use of
hydraulic fracturing has expanded across much of the country.

EPA announced in March that it will study the potential adverse impact
that hydraulic fracturing may have on drinking water. To solicit input
on the scope of the study, EPA is holding a series of public meetings in
major oil and gas production regions to hear from citizens, independent
experts and industry. The initial results of the study will be announced
in late 2012. EPA will identify additional information for industry to
provide - including information on fluid disposal practices and
geological features - that will help EPA carry out the study.

EPA has requested the information be provided on a voluntary basis
within 30 days, and has asked the companies to respond within seven days
to inform the agency whether they will provide all of the information
sought. The data being sought by the agency is similar to information
that has already been provided separately to Congress by the industry.
Therefore, EPA expects the companies to cooperate with these voluntary
requests. If not, EPA is prepared to use its authorities to require the
information needed to carry out its study.

EPA is currently working with state and local governments who play an
important role in overseeing and regulating fracturing operations and
are at the forefront of protecting local air and water quality from
adverse impacts.

View the letter on the voluntary information request:
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hydraulicfracturing/
<http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hydraulicfracturing/>


R296




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