EPA study confirms fracking safe, not poisoning the water supply
Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed the oil and natural gas industry stance on fracking, stating that “Hydraulic fracturing activities have not led to widespread, systemic impacts to drinking water sources.” A new study sanctioned by Congress, shows drinking water contamination only results if fracking wells aren’t built or maintained properly, which is a rarity.
“We did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States. Of the potential mechanisms identified in this report, we found specific instances where one or more of these mechanisms led to impacts on drinking water resources, including contamination of drinking water wells. The cases occurred during both routine activities and accidents and have resulted in impacts to surface or ground water,” the report states.
“The number of identified cases where drinking water resources were impacted are small relative to the number of hydraulically fractured wells. This could reflect a rarity of effects on drinking water resources, or may be an underestimate as a result of several factors.”
Additionally, the EPA confirms that fracking is a technology that is changing the nation for the better without causing widespread harm to underground aquifers and drinking water. It is producing energy to make America stronger and safer while creating jobs and boosting the economy.
This confirms data from the Pennsylvania EPA which reported the same conclusion, contrasting a film Promised Land, starring Matt Damon, which alleged that the practice makes people ill through the contaminated drinking water.
A 2010 documentary Gasland attempted to scare viewers about fracking by claiming the practice makes drinking water flammable, but has been widely refuted.
Yet another documentary, FrackNation refuted all of the allegations and not is being confirmed by this EPA report.