Dirty Drilling

From 1990 to 2005, the number of gas producing wells nationwide increased from 270,000 to 425,000. Oil and gas production releases pollution that can have serious impacts on human health and the surrounding air, water, and land. Although these operations are frequently located near homes, schools, and other community resources, the oil and gas industry enjoys numerous exemptions from provisions of federal laws intended to protect human health and the environment.

One procedure that has environmental groups as well as legislators worried is called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracing” (pronounced “fracking”) for short. Fracing is a process in which water, mixed with sand and chemicals, is injected into a well to break up the underground formation and allow better oil or natural gas recovery. Chemicals used in the fracing mixture can seep into water supplies; chemicals which are harmful to people’s health and other species.

Companion Senate and House bills have been introduced to regulate this practice. Called the FRAC Act, or Fracking Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, the legislation aims to eliminate an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 pushed by Halliburton in 2005 that exempted fracing from federal regulation. The oil and gas industry is the only industry excluded, in what is often referred to as “Haliburton’s Loophole.”

Many people who live near oil and gas drilling experience symptoms resembling those that may be caused by the toxic substances found in oil and gas or the chemical additives used to produce them. One study found higher rates of rheumatic diseases, lupus, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular problems in a New Mexico area built on a former drill site.

Although the oil industry claims there have never been any instances of contamination in the 60 years of fracing, others believe the investigations didn’t look for the right things. Industry representatives also say federal oversight would impede natural gas and oil development because increased permitting would create an economic burden.

Can hydraulic fracturing create human health and safety problems around drilling sites? Should oil and gas companies be required to disclose the chemicals they use? How important is it to eliminate “Halliburton’s Loophole?”