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THURSDAY: EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing Study in Fort Worth

Release Date: 07/06/2010
Contact Information: Dave Bary at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – July 6, 2010) On Thursday, July 8, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a public listening session on the Agency’s proposed study on hydraulic fracturing and its potential impacts on drinking water. The meeting will provide information about the proposed study scope and design. EPA will solicit public comments on the draft study plan.

Members of the public are requested to pre-register at least 24 hours before the meeting at http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com/ or by calling 1-866-477-3635 toll-free.

Local credentialed media are requested to pre-register at least 24 hours before the meeting at R6press@epa.gov with Hydraulic Fracturing R.S.V.P. in the subject line.

WHAT: EPA Public Listening Session on Hydraulic Fracturing Study

WHEN : Thursday, July 8, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHERE : Hilton Fort Worth
815 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX

Hydraulic fracturing is a well stimulation process used to maximize the extraction of underground resources – oil, natural gas and geothermal energy. By pumping fracturing fluids (water and chemical additives) and sand or other similar materials into rock formations, fractures are created that allow natural gas or oil to flow from the rock through the fractures to a production well for extraction.

Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing this vital resource. However, serious concerns have been raised about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water, human health and the environment. To address these concerns, EPA announced in March that it will study the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on drinking water.

To support the initial planning phase and guide the development of the study plan, the agency sought suggestions and comments from the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) - an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.

The Fort Worth meeting is the first of four public meetings EPA will hold on the study. The other meetings will be held in Colorado, Pennsylvania and New York.

More information on the study is available at: http://epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html

More information on the meetings is available at: https://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydroout.html