Comments on: EPA Launches Hydraulic Fracturing Study

By: Barbara Behan

Barbara Behan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:30:49 +0000

I am thoroughly discusted that Cheney was able to exempt the oil and gas industry from the EPA’s safe drinking water law in 2005. As a New Yorker, I feel spending 1.9 million on a study of the chemicals used in Fracing is an outrageous waste of money, considering there have already been hearings, and the oil and gas co’s disclosed pages upon pages of carcinogenic chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing! What’s to study? The answer should be NO HYDRAULIC FRACTURING! Put that money into the hands of researcher’s studying means of Alternative Energy. Pass the FRAC ACT, giving the power back to the EPA, and arrest Cheney!

By: Sunil Brahmavar

Sunil Brahmavar — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:39:31 +0000

In a 2004 study, the EPA were the first ones to say (without examining the chemicals involved in the process) that fracking was a safe process and did NOT pose any threat to drinking water. This is what helped the Congress exempt hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act. And now, if the EPA were to re-evaluate the safety of the process, whould anyone buy it? Would it be a thorough study, unlike last time?

By: Heiner Markhoff

Heiner Markhoff — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:06:55 +0000

This piece sheds light on the critical need to protect our threatened water supply, and the EPA study is step in the right direction. The issues related to hydraulic fracturing are complex and have the potential to impact both water quality and quantity.

However, by applying existing technologies, we can actually reduce overall freshwater consumption, and effectively treat and reuse the water. Huge amounts of water are used in virtually every form of industrial processing – manufacturing, mining, oil and gas drilling and the production of electricity. In the U. S., nearly 45 percent of our invaluable freshwater resources are used for industrial purposes.

While it is unlikely that, as a country, we will significantly reduce the need for these industrial applications, it is VERY feasible to adopt practices that will enable our country to access our natural energy reserves while simultaneously protecting the environment and public health.

Heiner Markhoff, President & CEO
GE Power and Water, Water and Process Technologies

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:30:37 +0000

I am sure none of you that are opposed to energy industries actually use any. Instead of investing your time and money opposing these efforts maybe you could come up with some economical alternatives.