Natural gas companies are against the changes to the conditional Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD) in 1993. We believe that the FAD if implemented will negatively affect the natural gas industry based on false concerns that hydraulic fracturing contaminates drinking water.
Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most important and effective ways to access underground resources including natural gas. With increased use of hydraulic fracturing, there has also been increased concerns for possible detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking and ground water supplies. However, extensive studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency examining any potential effects of hydraulic fracturing concluded no to very little risk of contamination of underground sources of drinking water during its processes. EPA found no confirmed links between the degradation of drinking water wells and hydraulic fracturing injection into coalbed methane wells.
EPA also reviewed four cases reported by citizens regarding contaminated water as a result of hydraulic fracturing. They once again found that the latter was not the cause of the concerns raised by citizens which included drinking water with unpleasant taste and odor, impacts on fish, vegetation and wildlife, and loss of water in wells. Rather than hydraulic fracturing, such water problems seem to have occurred from contributions of other factors including population growth, resource development, natural conditions and practice of abandoned or historical well-completion (EPA, ES-13). Also, EPA conclude that the removal of groundwater soon after hydraulic fracturing as well as injected fluid recovery along with dilution and dispersion, adsorption all significantly reduce the risk of hazardous chemicals contaminating drinking water (EPA, 7-5).
Hydraulic fracturing plays an importnat role in the nation’s energy demands. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, looking forward in about 20 years, demand for natural gas is projected to reach at least 45 percent (EPA, ES-2). Hydraulic fracturing play a crucial role in meeting that demand. FAD will only be a hindrance to adequately keeping up with the nation’s demand for natural gas.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, “Evaluation of Impacts of Underground Sources of Drinking Water by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs Study ( June 2004)” Accessed 01 Dec. 2012.<http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/upload/completestudy.zip>
