Controversy continues over the process known as hydraulic fracturing (or “hydrofracking”) to recover underground natural gas deposits. Preliminary results from water sampling conducted by EPA have revealed chemical contaminants used in hydrofracking in wells utilized for drinking water in Pavillion, Wyoming. The results, while preliminary, may be the first demonstrated instance of hydrofracking causing contamination to water supplies.
Hydrofracking is currently being considered for use in a number of states, including New York, which is preparing an environmental impact statement for the potential use of hydrofracking for recovery of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. The development of the Marcellus formation has been encouraged in the New York State Draft Energy Plan of 2009, calling also for safeguards in place to protect water supplies. Other states, including North Dakota, have defended the technology as environmentally safe (pdf). In addition, Congress is considering regulating hydrofracking by removing an exemption for the process under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
If contamination of water supplies can be confirmed as being linked to hydrofracking, it will no doubt impact the debate, and future potential uses of the technology.
- Elimination of Safe Drinking Water Act Exemption For “Hydrofracking” Proposed
- Basics of Hydrofracking (from ProPublica.org)
- Read more on the recent sampling results at Yale Environment 360
- Read more on clean water issues
