The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a news release this morning (December 21, 2012) stating it has provided an update on its ongoing national study currently underway to better understand any potential impacts of oil and gas hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.
The update outlines work currently underway, including the status of research projects that will inform the final study, which are expected to be released in a draft for public and peer review in 2014. The EPA stresses that while this progress report outlines the framework for the final study, it does not draw conclusions about the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, which will be made in the final study.
Click here to read the EPA news release.
Click here to access the progress report on the study.
In addition to the progress report, EPA will be hosting a one-hour public Webinar on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 2 p.m. ET, and again on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12 p.m. ET. The Webinar will provide project-specific updates that include research approach, status, and next steps. It will also provide updates on five technical roundtables held in November 2012. To register for one of these public Webinars, please visit http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/getinvolved.html.