EPA to Conduct Fracking Study
The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will conduct a comprehensive $1.9 million study to investigate "the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing in Marcellus Shale drilling may have on water quality and public health."
"Fracking" is a process that injects millions of gallons of water mixed with chemicals and sand into a gas well under great pressure to create horizontal and vertical cracks in the thick black shale.
The fracking process releases the natural gas from the shale, but the EPA said there are concerns the process may degrade surface and ground water and pose a threat to human health and the environment.
Senator Arlen Specter says he's pleased that the EPA will be conducting the study.
“In Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale has the potential to create nearly 200,000 jobs and generate nearly $15 billion in the next decade - but the gas must be extracted in a way that does not endanger our water supply, the most precious natural resource of all," Specter said in a news release. "I look forward to this study's progress and the lessons it will give us for how to best manage this important activity.”
For the complete EPA news release, go here.
For the complete Specter news release, go here.
"Fracking" is a process that injects millions of gallons of water mixed with chemicals and sand into a gas well under great pressure to create horizontal and vertical cracks in the thick black shale.
The fracking process releases the natural gas from the shale, but the EPA said there are concerns the process may degrade surface and ground water and pose a threat to human health and the environment.
Senator Arlen Specter says he's pleased that the EPA will be conducting the study.
“In Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale has the potential to create nearly 200,000 jobs and generate nearly $15 billion in the next decade - but the gas must be extracted in a way that does not endanger our water supply, the most precious natural resource of all," Specter said in a news release. "I look forward to this study's progress and the lessons it will give us for how to best manage this important activity.”
For the complete EPA news release, go here.
For the complete Specter news release, go here.
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