My attention was caught by a KBFX Fox 58 Evening Newscast story in Bakersfield concerning legislation and regulation of the hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, in the State of California.
So, I decided to dig a little deeper into the subject, and share my findings with you.
An article released yesterday afternoon by the San Jose Silicon Valley MercuryNews.com covers the story quite succinctly:
“California Releases First-Ever Fracking Regulations”
by Paul ROGERS
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_22219233/california-releases-first-ever-fracking-regulations
According to a 35-paged report released by the Pacific Institute this past June entitled “Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources: Separating the Frack from the Fiction” (COOLEY and DONNELLY, 2012), six key water-related issues were identified as follows:
1) Water Withdrawals
2) Groundwater Contamination associated with Well-Drilling and Production
3) Wastewater Management
4) Truck Traffic and Its Impact on Water Quality
5) Surface Spills and Leaks
6) Stormwater Management
As a “baseline standard” based upon peer-reviewed scientific research has yet to be established for hydraulic fracturing practices, “a lack of clarity has resulted concerning the terms used to characterize the hydraulic fracturing process” “hindering a comprehensive analysis of potential environmental and public health risks and identification of strategies to minimize these risks” (COOLEY and DONNELLY, 2012; p. 5).
A copy of the Pacific Institute June 2012 Report can be found here:
“Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources: Separating the Frack from the Fiction”
C. Mei-Ling HAMILTON - Environmental Geochemistry Issues 