Inhofe Statement on EPA's Report Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:

Kristina Baum (Senate - EPW) - 202.224.6176

Donelle Harder (Senate - EPW) - 202.224.1282

Inhofe Statement on EPA's Report Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the following statement after the release of the E.P.A.'s (EPA) report on hydraulic fracturing again confirming the extraction process has "not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.

"EPA's report on hydraulic fracturing confirms what we have known for over 60 years when the process began in Duncan, Oklahoma - hydraulic fracturing is safe," said Inhofe. "This is the latest in a series of failed attempts by the administration to link hydraulic fracturing to systematic drinking water contamination. The Obama administration is now zero for four.

"Despite Congress' intent that the E.P.A. study focus on the actual act of hydraulic fracturing conducted thousands of feet below ground, the agency grossly expanded the scope of the study and still came up empty. Although E.P.A. claims some vulnerabilities may exist, it doesn't take tens of millions of dollars to know that hydraulic fracturing conducted directly into formations containing drinking water resources or intentionally spilling fluids into water supplies isn't a good idea, and is why nobody does it. EPA, the U.S.G.S., and others have said that hydraulic fracturing is indeed safe.

"My state is home to FracFocus, a national chemical registry that has the endorsement of the federal government. This plan shows that states are in the best position to understand their unique geologies and to determine what regulations are necessary while also supporting economic opportunity for their communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to use the EPA's report to keep the federal government out of the lane of states who are responsibly monitoring and regulating the development of domestic energy resources."

In October 2014, the Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC), a nonprofit organization comprised of state regulatory agencies focused on the protection of water resources, released a comprehensive report highlighting the cutting edge oil and natural gas regulatory structures of states, including those concerning hydraulic fracturing. The review concludes that "In step with dramatic industry growth over the past 5 years, states have substantially improved groundwater protection laws and regulations governing oil and natural gas production." The GWPC also runs a chemical disclosure registry on hydraulic fracturing, which can viewed by clicking here.

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