DeGette, Pallone, Tonko Highlight Shortcomings in EPA Assessment and Call for Congressional Action to Close Data Gaps

Press Release

Rep. DeGette (CO-01) joined Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (NY-20) to release the following statement today in response to the draft assessment released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources:

"While the current draft indicates that the overall percentage of contamination cases may be small, it acknowledges there have been contamination events. When it comes to the water we drink, every instance of contamination must be considered serious.

"It is also important to note that this study relied on voluntary reporting, which affects both the quality and scope of the data available. This is an unfortunate consequence of the lack of federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing.

"Congress must be looking closely at ways to close these data gaps moving forward in order to prevent any further contamination."

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