EPA, White House Shift Toward Strict Fracking Rules Faces Major Hurdles

摘要

EPA and the White House appear to be shifting toward seeing a need for stricter regulation of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to address rising public concerns about fracking's potential health and environmental risks, but the effort faces major hurdles including a lack of data, political uncertainties and an industry split on the need for strict rules. The Obama administration is showing a "clear rhetorical shift" toward a need for new, stringent fracking regulations to minimize fracking risks, former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Hanger said in an April 29 interview with Inside EPA, but "how much real policy follows is an open question."