In the wake of a natural-gas well eruption and two new reports, one published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the other prepared by the Democratic staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee — both stating that hydraulic fracturing could lead to contaminated drinking water — the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a hearing on the safety of the practice. The hearing focused on a Congressionally-mandated study being planned by the EPA. Republicans on the committee were generally opposed to the study, while Democrats defended the need for it.
Related Links:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydaulic fracturing
- Hyradulic fracturing report prepared by House Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic staff
- Majority party summary of hearing
- Minority party summary of hearing