The impact of hydraulic fracturing on water quality in the US is getting a lot of attention, most recently from the EPA nationally and specifically in Wyoming.
Last year the Wilderness Society surveyed the fracturing fluids requirements in state statutes to see whether they require public disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals. As part of the survey they called the oil and gas commissions in each state to confirm their findings.
The Wilderness Society found that of the 33 states where drilling occurs, only Wyoming requires full public disclosure of the chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluids. Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee required some disclosure of chemicals, but not to the public or in sufficient detail.
In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama confirmed that the Department of Interior will require full disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluids for any use of hydraulic fracturing on public lands. The Department of the Interior has already announced that it is drawing up safety regulations for drilling on federal lands. To date all hydraulic fracturing has been on private lands, but when the guidelines are in place federal lands will be opened to drilling.
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