The Issue
Fracking
EWG’s investigations highlight the inherent risks of the current boom in drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations and empower citizens and lawmakers to work for better regulation.
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The Latest on Fracking
Guaranteeing a clean and ample supply of water should be at the core of our energy policy. Sometimes Washington seems to have forgotten that. But a recent survey shows that the American people have not.
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Environmental Working Group Senior Counsel Dusty Horwitt issued the following statement on the Albany Times-Union’s Aug. 4, 2012 report that the Cuomo administration will soon approve hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in New York state:
Read MoreThomas Cluderay, EWG assistant general counsel, testifies New York City before state lawmakers at a public forum on hydrofracking. He highlights EWG's report exposing behind-the-scenes communications among New York regulators, drillers and their representatives and raises questions whether New York's review of fracking will live up to Gov. Cuomo's promise that it would be fair, transparent, and science-based.
Read MoreA new water quality study near gas drilling operations in northeastern Pennsylvania counters natural gas industry claims that gas and hydraulic fracturing chemicals can't seep into the drinking water of nearby homes, schools and businesses.
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Thomas Cluderay, EWG assistant general counsel offers remarks on New York's draft drilling plan on the steps of New York City Hall. He presents information received by EWG revealing that state regulators gave the drilling industry exclusive access to detailed rule proposals and draft permit language weeks before sharing them with the public.
Read MoreNew York regulators granted natural gas industry representatives exclusive access to shale gas drilling regulations as early as six weeks before they were made public, according to documents obtained by Environmental Working Group through requests filed under the New York state Freedom of Information Law.
Read MoreSignificant scientific gaps in a New York state regulatory plan would make drilling for shale gas a multi-billion-dollar gamble, according to a joint report by two watchdog organizations.
Read MoreNew York regulators gave natural gas drilling industry representatives exclusive access to draft regulations for shale gas drilling as early as six weeks before they were made public, according to records obtained by the Environmental Working Group through New York's Freedom of Information Law.
Read MoreWashington, D.C. – A U.S. Geological Survey research team has linked oil and natural gas drilling operations to a series of recent earthquakes from Alabama to the Northern Rockies.
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Our California fracking report continued to gain fantastic coverage this week with three large stories in Santa Cruz Weekly, Sacramento News and Review and Wines and Vines. Our president, Ken Cook, posted in Huffington Post on BPA in food packaging in anticipation of FDA's March 31 deadline to make a decision on the chemical. The agency made an announcement late today, Friday, stating it would continue the use of the chemical in food packaging. EWG's release criticizing the move was picked up by Forbes, Bloomberg and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Our California fracking report continued to gain fantastic coverage this week with three large stories in Santa Cruz Weekly, Sacramento News and Review and Wines and Vines.
Read MorePolluted water resources. Compromised housing values. And now, earthquakes? As companies increasingly rely on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to expand U.S. oil and gas operations, regulators are finally beginning to understand its potential impact on public health and the environment.
Read MoreIn some states, oil and gas companies have begun to face (gasp!) some basic regulations, such as required reporting of where and when they hydraulically fracture (or "frack") wells, and even disclosure of the chemicals they use. But in California, drillers can do whatever they please, wherever they please.
Read MoreNew York is considering lifting its moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, an oil and gas drilling technology in which large volumes of water, sand and chemicals are injected into the ground at high pressure.
Read MoreState regulators have no idea how many oil and gas wells have been fracked in California despite having requested and received $3 million in new funding in 2010 to regulate the practice.
Read MoreThe U.S. Geological Survey has warned New York state regulators that their plan to allow drilling and hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale could endanger private water wells, municipal aquifers and New York City’s drinking water supply.
Read MoreDuring last night's State of the Union address, President Obama appeared ready to throw the full support of his administration behind the expansion of natural gas drilling operations throughout the country, largely ignoring the outrage and worry expressed by those in affected communities.
Read MoreThe federal Environmental Protection Agency's detection of arsenic, a known human carcinogen, barium and other contaminants in the well water of homes near natural gas drilling operations in Dimock Township, Pennsylvania, should prompt a nationwide investigation of drilling-linked water pollution.
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EWG warns that New York state lacks the resources and knowledge to protect public water supplies from hydraulic fracturing. EWG’s comments respond to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s draft environmental impact assessment of fracking and proposed regulations of natural gas drilling
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