Scientists and experts have hypothesized that the chemicals used in fracking, such as benzene and methanol, would remain safely underground, miles below water supplies. But the study, which used computer modeling, found that the chemicals could reach the surface in as little as a few years.

‘”Simply put, [the rock layers] are not impermeable,” said the study’s author, Tom Myers, an independent hydrogeologist.’

This study is the first peer-reviewed research of its kind and it was funded by organizations that oppose fracking in the Marcellus.

Barack Obama (Photo credit: jamesomalley)

President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday that will help coordinate federal oversight of natural gas production by establishing a high-level working group that will ensure all federal agencies overseeing drilling work together, AP reports.

White House energy adviser, Heather Zichal, will head the group, and members will come from almost a dozen agencies that supervise various aspects of drilling, including the Interior, Transportation and Energy departments, Environmental Protection Agency and White House Council on Environmental Quality.

The order has not gone uncriticized; certain parties claim this is another example of the double standard Obama has on drilling. While he says he supports it, he is simultaneously cracking down on it.

See press release here.

Image via the Atlantic.

This just in from the Atlantic: “A new United States Geological Survey study has found that middle America between Alabama and Montana is experiencing an ‘unprecedented’ and ‘almost certainly manmade’ increase in earthquakes of 3.0 magnitude or greater.”

This dramatic increase in ’quakes coincides with increased oil and gas extraction in parts of the area. The Environmental Working Group has concluded that fracking has caused these earthquakes in one way or another. But, on the other hand, the USGS scientists aren’t ready to infer there is a connection between the two.

“If you have a beneficial use for the water, then you can bid for that water,” Northern Water spokesman Brian Werner said. “We see the beneficial use of the water as a positive for the economy of the whole region. Fracking is one of those uses. Our uses of water have evolved over 150 years.”

[See full article here]

“We need to make sure that what happens in Durham, is applicable for Durham, and maybe there should be places that never allow wells,” Deborah Luecken, chair of the Durham Environmental Affairs Board, said.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to AP, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report Friday that said testing at 20 more water wells in Dimock, Pa. has shown no dangerous levels of contamination.

Methane was present in three of the newly tested wells, and one showed levels of barium well above the EPA’s maximum level. An EPA spokesman said a new treatment system installed in the well is removing the metal and fixing the problem.

Texas Barnett Shale gas drilling rig near Alvarado, Texas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In preparation for a live discussion on fracking Monday, April 9, ProPublica put together a list of some of the best investigative pieces about natural gas extraction. These 9 articles, some published as early as 2004, give you an idea of how the fracking battle has come into play over the years. Check out these stories and join the conversation today!

“If you put a moratorium in place, people are just waiting for the gates to open, and we don’t want that to happen,” she said.

Vermont would be the first state in the nation to implement such a practice. The bill will likely be voted on next week.

[See article here.]

The Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees oil and gas drilling, insists drilling did not cause the water contamination and that local aquifers have always been laced with naturally occurring methane.

Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella said, “It’s important for people to know that their environment, health and safety is protected and hopefully this provides them with that comfort.”