Environmental Groups Call on US EPA to Ban Diesel Fuel in Fracking

Earthjustice Speaks

Earthjustice reported that national environmental groups are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of diesel fuel in fracking fluids, instead of issuing guidance for regulating the practice, following the agency’s release of draft guidance. Diesel fuel is currently used in many fracking chemical mixtures and poses serious risks to drinking water sources. EPA guidance is not enough to protect families from benzene and other toxic chemicals that can contaminate water sources.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 exempted hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in the Halliburton Loophole—except when diesel is used. Recent Congressional investigations revealed diesel use in fracking fluids remains widespread. This EPA action provides guidance for using the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control Program to protect underground sources of drinking water. The EPA announced a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.

Leaders from environmental organizations calling for a ban on diesel used in fracking, released the following statements:

“It’s no secret that diesel is dirty and dangerous, and belongs nowhere near our drinking water. But the natural gas industry has been using this dangerous fuel for fracking, showing once again that they cannot be trusted to police themselves. We urge the EPA to ban diesel fracking and keep Americans’ drinking water clean and safe.” –Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club

“We applaud EPA’s action and urge the Agency to use their authority to ban diesel use and to do whatever is necessary to protect precious underground drinking water sources from chemical contamination.” –Bob Wendelgass, president of Clean Water Action

“Diesel and drinking water don’t mix. Congress recognized the hazards of diesel when they passed the Halliburton loophole to the Safe Drinking Water Act. We welcome EPA’s action; it’s time for the oil and gas industry to clean up their act.” –Jennifer Krill, executive director of Earthworks

“Diesel fuel is not critical to fracking—with the safety threats it poses, there is no sense in allowing it to be used. We need stronger safeguards on the books to protect American health and communities from diesel threats to clean drinking water and other risks associated with fracking.” –Amy Mall, senior policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council

“Nobody wants to drink diesel-infused tap water. That’s why the oil and gas industry needs to stop pumping diesel underground during fracking. The risk to drinking water sources is too high and the oil and gas industry’s track record is too dismal. The EPA can and must ban this reckless practice.” –Jessica Ennis, legislative representative for Earthjustice.

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Chemical use in hydraulic fracturing

The drilling/fracking industry has created a web-site called FracFocus to present information and details on frack fluids, on the specific chemicals and their properties.  Consider how many different chemicals are used in fracking: Surfactants, friction reducers, acids, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, iron control agents, crosslinkers, breakers, pH adjustors, scale inhibitors, gelling agents, KCl, and others.  Many of the specific chemicals used are listed by FracFocus. And, the opportunity exists for drilling/fracking companies to list specific wells and the names of the chemicals that are being used.  However, this is a hit and miss affair. There are very few wells posted.  And, the legal status of this information is uncertain and possibly misleading.

Because diesel fuel contains BTEX compounds, i.e. benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and many other complex reactive organic compounds, such material is unusually dangerous.  And, it is unlikely to decompose into safe material.  So, there is great justification for a total ban on diesel fuel as a fracking agent.

For a detailed FrackCheckWV report on the chemicals used in shale fracking, see here.