U.S. EPA Releases Progress Report on Hydraulic Fracturing Study
On December 21, 2012, EPA released a much-anticipated progress report as part of its major hydraulic fracturing study. EPA began research in 2011 under its “Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources,” in order to assess the potential impacts, if any, of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water. In the 278-page progress report, EPA outlines past and future research efforts but avoids drawing any preliminary conclusions. EPA expects to release draft research results in late 2014.