EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

In Central Wyoming, the EPA found a link between underwater ground pollution and oil drilling that was occurring. The EPA could become of importance in a national debating in discussing whether contamination of the environment from oil fracking is occurring. This national debate could potentially be the standard for how gas pumping is regulated in the United States. Residents have also complained of spoiled water as a result from the fracking. Their water has turned brown when oil drilling was occurring near them. To confirm everything that was being said the EPA drilled two water monitoring wells that where 1,000 feet deep and monitored that amount of carcinogenic chemicals near the wells. The EPA founds chemicals apparent that were known to be used in fracking, which meant the oil and fracking companies are destroying he environment. The EPA also found there to be a lack of disclosure by the companies. Many companies did not report exactly what chemicals had been used to frack. This also meant that EnCana has declined to tell federal officials the breakdown of every compound used in the ground. Fracking companies are polluting the environment and will not disclose which chemicals they are putting in the ground. This means that no one knows what is being put in the earth and soil that nearby residents depend on. Drinking supplies have been damaged and the fracking, if expanded, will continue to pollute more of America.

This article makes me think about what about other countries and the flip side of the argument. Americans do not want oil to be drilled form the U.S. but rather we are willing to pay higher prices for overseas drilling. Would it be most cost effective to drill here and just have that section of land be used for drilling oil if it would be cheaper for Americans? Is the EPA exaggerating and being too worries? Is the stuff reporting really happening because of the fracking or could the chemicals appearing in tests be produced otherwise?