Restore Regulation of Fracking

In the Energy Policy Act of 2005, hydraulic fracturing activities were exempted from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. As a result, drilling companies have the ability to inject, without regulation or disclosure, poisonous, carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene, and 28 other chemicals “that are (1) known or possible human carcinogens, (2) regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act for their risks to human health, or (3) listed as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.” * Because of this, since 2005, close to 1 billion gallons of potentially hazardous chemicals, not including billions of gallons of water, have been injected into U.S. soil. There have been widespread reports of poisoned wells, tainted rivers that supply water to major cities, and other environmental problems.

We, the undersigned, ask that you offer legislation that would repeal the exemption of hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act and expand federal regulation of and environmental restrictions on hydraulic fracturing activities.

*United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Minority Staff. Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing. April 2011.