EPA fracking report offers few answers on drinking water

Is hydraulic fracturing — better known as fracking — safe, as the oil and gas industry claims? Or does the controversial drilling technique that has spurred a domestic energy boom contaminate drinking water, as environmental groups and other critics charge?

After six years and more than $29 million, the Environmental Protection Agency says it doesn`t know.

A new report issued Tuesday said fracking poses a risk to drinking water in some circumstances, but a lack of information precludes a definitive statement on how severe the risk is....

...The final report found specific instances where poorly constructed drilling wells, improper wastewater management or other problems affected drinking water. Impacts generally occurred near drilling sites and ranged from temporary changes in water quality to rendering private drinking wells unusable, the report said....

   ...more

Ken Notes: Once again it is our job to make sure it is safe and we should be able to do that through working together. Fighting for an outright ban will be an uphill battle for at least the next four years. I have seen the numbers and this hill is not going to be conquered.