The EPA Science Advisory Board concludes that EPA should provide quantitative analysis that supports its conclusion that hydraulic fracturing has not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources. Most Panel members also conclude that the statement requires clarification and additional explanation (e.g., discuss what is meant by any observed change in the definition of impact in Appendix J, and consider including possible modifying adjectives before the words widespread, systemic impact in the statement on page ES-6).
Four of the 30 Panel members find that this statement is acceptable as written, but note that the EPA should have provided a more robust discussion on how the EPA reached this conclusion (e.g., through a comparison of the number of wells drilled vs. reported spills, or analysis on reported potable wells shown to be impacted by HFWC).
Most members of the SAB Panel have concerns regarding the data limitations supporting the EPA major findings. These concerns include the nature of reported incidents of spilled liquids and releases associated with hydraulic fracturing, the lack of systematic study of hydraulic fracturing-related impacts that have occurred, the limited ability to review significant amounts of hydraulic fracturing data due to litigation and confidential business information issues, and the lack of knowledge about or monitoring methods for many constituents in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Regarding the recommendation from most members of the SAB Panel that the EPA provide quantitative support for its conclusion that hydraulic fracturing has not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, the SAB notes that the EPA estimates on the frequency of on-site spills were based upon information from two states and that other states should also collect comprehensive data for comparison.
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