Deadline Extended for Comment on EPA Fracking Contamination Investigation

Photo by Abrahm Lustgarten/ProPublica (Creative Commons)

Louis Meeks’ well water contains methane gas, hydrocarbons, lead and copper, according to the EPA’s test results.

Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is extending the period for public comment on its investigation of water contamination linked to fracking in Wyoming. The report was released in draft form in December and drew attention across the country, especially in Texas. It was the first time the EPA had linked fracking to water contamination. While the initial public comment period for the report was going to close at the end of January, that deadline has now been extended until March 12.

Earlier this week the EPA began accepting nominations for scientists to peer review the water contamination study. That process will be open until February 17.

The EPA is also “investigating potential impacts from oil and gas drilling at a number of places across the U.S.,” an agency spokesperson told StateImpact Texas in December. They are looking at seven other case studies as part of an ongoing scientific investigation. One of those case studies is on the Barnett Shale in Denton, Texas. The EPA is investigating the possibility of well contamination and spills and runoff there.