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Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

nytimes.com

1–10 of 24 posts

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#2
FTFA: But environmental groups pointed to what they saw as holes in the report. In particular, they said, the report’s authors relied on data supplied by companies and wrote that limitations in data “preclude a determination of the frequency of impacts with any certainty.”

So, i guess that report is next to worthless then if it solely relies on data that comes from a group that is interested in "proving" the safety of fracking?

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#3
post #2

FTFA: But environmental groups pointed to what they saw as holes in the report. In particular, they said, the report’s authors relied on data supplied by companies and wrote that limitations in data “preclude a determination of the frequency of impacts with any certainty.” So, i guess that report is next to worthless then if it solely relies on data that comes from a group that is interested in "proving" the safety o…

Except it doesn't solely rely on that data. From earlier in the article:

"In conducting the study, the agency evaluated more than 3,500 previously published reports, studies and data sources, including articles published in science and engineering journals; and reports by federal and state governments, nongovernmental organizations and industry groups.

The agency also conducted additional scientific research, resulting in more than 20 peer-reviewed reports and papers. The draft report will now be made available for public comment and peer review by an independent board of scientists before being finalized."

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#5
Riiiiiggghht https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9-tmudFg0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A There are THOUSANDS of similar reports from fracked areas all over North America. That isn't the only problem either, when they do what's called "venting" there is large release of carcinogenic chemicals(although some large scale operations mitigate this by capping the vent stack to collect the gases in practice this is the exception not the rule) We are doing it in Canada as well, absolute insanity! Here is a great documentary http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/The+Nature+of+Things/ID...

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#7
post #5

Riiiiiggghht https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9-tmudFg0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A There are THOUSANDS of similar reports from fracked areas all over North America. That isn't the only problem either, when they do what's called "venting" there is large release of carcinogenic chemicals(although some large scale o…

OK I downvoted this. And I'm stating that even though I know it's not kosher to have a meta-debate about upvoting/downvoting, but just to dissuade the reflexive suspicion that the downvote is because HN is secretly owned by drilling companies.

I don't necessarily disagree with the skepticism, but linking to a bunch of Youtube videos without context is not helpful evidence. And then going on to refer to a vague "THOUSANDS of similar reports" claim without some kind of link to source...that's kind of lazy. I think it's safe to say that the EPA is aware of a high quantity of reports of contaminated water...and that's why they've (belatedly) undertaken this study. The critique should be focused on their assertions and the evidence they use (I mean, they did the courtesy of drafting a report to make such a point by point critique easier), not on generalizations.

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#8
post #5

Riiiiiggghht https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9-tmudFg0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A There are THOUSANDS of similar reports from fracked areas all over North America. That isn't the only problem either, when they do what's called "venting" there is large release of carcinogenic chemicals(although some large scale o…

In at least some of those areas where those "flammable tapwater" videos have been made, the tapwater has always been flammable, because the natural gas deposits we are fracking have been leeching into the groundwater for millions of years.

Re: Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply, E.P.A. Says While Noting Risks

#10
post #6

Questions about the truth of the results aside, I would say that the title of the study should maybe be, Fracking Has Not Had Big Effect on Water Supply Yet . This stuff is still pretty new, after all.

This stuff is still pretty new, after all.

On a geologic time scale, sure.

Fracking in one form or another goes back between 80-150 years.

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