Capitol Voice

In 2011 the EPA had drafted a plan to undergo a comprehensive scientific analysis of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water. This draft came at the request of dozens of environmental groups as well as concerned citizens and scientists. Results from this comprehensive study will be completed in 2012 with final comprehensive results in 2014.The EPA (see EPA site on hydraulic fracking) was successful in subpoenaing a dozen gas companies for their chemical compositions of their fracturing mixture upon a congressional investigation led by the Democrats.To find questions and answers to EPA's responses to the natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, see Questions on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permits. Last year, scientists from Duke University published a paper on research and policy recommendations for hydraulic fracturing and shale gas extraction. Of 68 drinking wells tested in Northeast Pennsylvania and Southern New York State, water samples taken closest to gas wells had on average 17x higher methane levels than those detected  further from testing areas. These levels were determined by the Department of the Interior to be dangerous and requiring immediate action. Examples of recommendations used by the EPA for their draft research plan can be found in the  Duke study which includes the following guidelines:

1. Comprehensive health study on effects of continual exposure to ingesting and breathing methane. EPA is to set a maximum contaminant level of methane as a new drinking water standard, also including propane and ethane.
2. EPA and Geological Survey are to develop a methane, ethane, and propane data base throughout country to determine highest levels .Differences in types of methane will be analyzed.
3. Study to be done by U.S. geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Energy to determine relationships between gas wells and shallow drinking aquifers.
4. A joint industry, government and scientific commission to estimate total methane emissions along with important methane source losses from gas shale extraction and natural gas extraction.
5. All states should enforce extensive baseline data on water quality in drinking water prior to exploration and drilling. Testing should include multiple chemical and isotopic variables. Results of tests should be made public. Testing should occur up to 3000ft of drilling site. Tests should be frequent and comprehensive for all chemicals.
6. More comprehensive research on the safety of the disposal methods, such as waste water disposal to rivers and streams. More unified regulation fro all states concerning waste water disposal.

 7.Passing the FRAC Act for EPA enforcement of hydraulic fracturing and shale gas extraction

Research and Policy Recommendations for Hydraulic Fracturing and Shale Gas Extraction,R.Jackson,B.Rainey-Pearson,S.Osborn,N.Warner, A. Vangosh
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Thanks to the efforts of 25 environmental group’s requests for further study of the use of diesel in fracking, a Democratic Congressional investigation conducted in 2010 and finalized in 2011, revealed the large use of diesel fuel in the hydraulic fracking industry. Thanks to the work of Waxman, Markey and DeGette, we now know  diesel fuel is indeed used, and those companies which used diesel did not seek permits and did not have permits issued by any state or federal regulator as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Due to the Energy Policy loophole law of 2005, hydraulic fracturing was exempt from the Safe Drinking Water Act except if diesel was used. Diesel fuel contains toxic benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene. Benzene is a known human carcinogen and chronic exposure to toluene, ethyl benzene and other xylene are known to cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. Of the 14 letters the congressman sent, 12 companies responded,Halliburton needed to be subpoenated. Of the 32 million gallons of diesel fuel and fluid containing diesel used for fracking, Halliburton came in second with using 7.2 million gallons, BJ services was the highest using 11.5 million gallons. None of the hydraulic fracturing companies tracked the nearness of the wells they fracture to the underground sources of drinking water. We at Capitol Voice support and endorse the FRAC Act and all other investigations necessary to create a more transparent natural gas and shale gas drilling industry in which all our states have the same environmental protection, and all citizens have a healthy, stable water supply.

Committeee on Energy and Commerce.Waxman,Markey,Degette. Investigation Finds Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids

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The Film Gasland exposes the shocking truth behind the natural gas industries use of toxic chemicals and their effects upon the residents. Film maker Josh Fox describes the harmful effects of natural gas fracturing which is required to extract natural gas. Fracturing requires hundreds of chemicals to be shot through the earth at high pressure to ultimately extract natural gas.Of the hundreds of chemicals, at least 65 of these chemicals are known to be hazardous to one's health.  The chemicals used in the process are unknown due to a 2005 energy bill pushed through by VP Dick Cheney who had been CEO of Haliburton before becoming the VP.Haliburton has been reported on using 7.2 million gallons of benzene.The energy bill, (the Haliburton loophole), prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the hydraulic fracturing process, exempting it from the Clean Water Act. As a result of this lack of oversight, combined with the cuts in funding of the EPA, gas companies have been  irresponsible in their actions to the residents of these energy rich areas. Josh Fox takes us on a journey throughout many states where natural gas drilling has been occurring for years, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma. Upon interviewing the residents of each state, he finds similar themes running through the area, pollution of the environment, poor health of residents, the feeling of hopelessness that their homes and ways of life are permanently effected and damaged.To read a recent study on the scientific link between fracking and contamination of local resident's drinking water see, Scientific Study Links Flammable Drinking Water to Fracking,which explains the Duke University Research Report for Policy Recommendations for Hyraulic Fracturing and Shale Gas Extraction.We at Capitol Voice support the legislation of Representative Maurice Hinchey of New York and Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania that would require the gas industry to disclose the identities of chemicals used in the fracking process,the FRAC ACT. See the House Bill H.R. 1084 and Senate 587 below.

Information based on article of Truthout, Scientific Study Links Flammable Drinking Water to Fracking by Abrahm Lustgarten,Propublica Report

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The first week in March saw the Republicans perform an energy dance around the issue of blocking EPA regulations to limit greenhouse gases. A measure to block EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases was introduced in the House and the Senate on the same day they stated they will be willing to eliminate these riders if the government can come to an agreement on the budget. However their agreement on the long term budget will ultimately cut EPA funding. Now comes the issues of rising oil prices, and the desire to open up more land to drilling. Energy Secretary Steven Chau recently stated that with the recent oil spikes there had been concern over whether we should open up our strategic oil reserves. The Energy Secretary stated, "this is not necessary as there is no shortage of an excess supply in the world". He stated we should concentrate on developing fuel efficent vehicles along wiith more electric vehicles.

 The Republicans once again are seeking to open up ANWAR, the 19 million acres of protected nature preserve in Alaska. Republican Fred Upton of the House Energy and Commerce Committee had written a letter to Obama in December stating,"I urge you to put our nation’s needs ahead of politics, and implore you not to make it impossible to ever explore for natural resources in ANWR.” We at Capitol Voice take the position of our President, who believes there are many energy renewable technologies to use to cut our dependency on foreign oil.

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