EPA Chief Concerned About Gas Drilling Fluids
Date: 09-Mar-10
Country: US
Author: REUTERS
The Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson said she was "very concerned" about the composition of fluids used to extract natural gas from shale deposits.
Jackson said she hopes the EPA will launch a study this year into the nature of fluids used in the hydraulic fracturing process of natural gas drilling.
"We are going to look at what the fluids are, what's in them. We are very concerned about that," she said.
Jackson told Reuters that the study will examine any environmental impact from the fracturing fluids. Jackson said the study would depend on "reprogramming" money because the current budget has no provision to pay for it.
Critics say chemicals used in fracturing can contaminate water supplies, while industry maintains its processes are safe.
