EPA Finding on Fracking Water Pollution Disputed by Its Own Scientists

"Panel finds little basis in EPA's 1,000-page study for claim that fracking has not led to 'widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water.'"

"An Environmental Protection Agency panel of independent scientific advisers has challenged core conclusions of a major study the agency issued in June that minimized the potential risks to drinking water from hydraulic fracturing.

The panel, known as the Science Advisory Board (SAB), particularly criticized the EPA's central finding that fracking has not led to 'to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States.' The oil and gas industry has seized on the conclusion to argue that broad concerns about fracking's impact on drinking water are overblown.

The SAB's 30 members, from academia, industry and federal agencies, said this and other conclusions drawn in the executive summary were ambiguous or inconsistent 'with the observations/data presented in the body of the report.'"
 
Neela Banerjee reports for InsideClimate News November 19, 2015.