Advisors See Limits In Pending EPA Fracking Study, Echoing Industry

摘要

EPA advisors are raising concerns that data and other limitations could prevent the agency from using its pending study on the possible effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water from drawing conclusions on the practice's safety, echoing statements from industry groups who say the study may not be adequate to justify future regulatory policies. Members of an ad hoc panel of EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) charged with reviewing the study's progress to date met during a May 7-8 meeting in Arlington, VA, where they pointed to resource and other difficulties the agency faces in gathering adequate data that accounts for concentration of fracking chemicals, a lack of baseline data and in ensuring that up-to-date industry practices are analyzed.