Thursday, September 29, 2011

Fracking Hearings This Week

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding hearings this week on new nationwide environmental standards for the process known as fracking. The biggest proposed change is requiring wells to be fitted with a special piece of equipment to separate oil and gas from fracking byproducts. Those byproducts have been tied to air and water pollution in Wyoming, with some people claiming their health has been harmed. Retired E-P-A scientist Weston Wilson has testified, saying the new standards are similar to ones currently on the books in Wyoming, but there isn't consistent enforcement yet.






David Ellenberger with the National Wildlife Federation says the E-P-A is taking a big step in the right direction.






The equipment would not only capture contaminants, but also recover oil and gas that slips through current processing. The agency must take final action on the proposal by February 28th.

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