EIA Shale Gas Production
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it is soliciting public assistance in identifying relevant data and scientific literature specific to inform its research study on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. EPA’s goal is to ensure that it has up-to-date information on evolving hydraulic fracturing practices and technologies.
EPA is conducting its own literature search but is also seeking studies or other primary technical sources that are not available through the open literature. Interested persons may provide scientific analyses, studies and other pertinent scientific information. EPA will consider all submissions but will give preference to peer reviewed data and literature sources.
In 2011 EPA initiated its research study on hydraulic fracturing. The study goal is to understand the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, if any, and to identify the driving factors that may affect the severity and frequency of such impacts. The scope of the study includes the full hydraulic fracturing water life cycle—from water acquisition, through the mixing of chemicals and injection of fracturing fluids, to the post-fracturing stage, including the management of flow-back and produced water and its ultimate treatment and disposal.
Data or papers in the literature can be sent to EPA until April 30, 2013. Submit information at http://www.regulations.gov/, using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0674. Information can also be sent by mail to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0674.
For more information about the EPA study visit http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/index.html.
EPA plans to release an interim progress report in December 2012. The final report is expected to be released in late 2014.