Fracking has become a common procedure for extracting natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil from tight sandstone formations. The procedure is used by virtually every producer, including Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK), Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), Range Resources Corp. (NYSE: RRC), and others.
A new study on Pavillion’s water was released late yesterday by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and it doesn’t do much to clear things up. The USGS took additional samples from two test wells in earlier this year, but under an agreement with the state the agency didn’t do much with the data it collected:
[T]he USGS did not interpret data as part of this sampling. Results are being provided to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, EPA and the public. The USGS data, along with data that EPA has collected, will also be available to the peer review panel tasked with looking at the broader EPA study.
An EPA spokesperson has said that the new samples have produced results that generally support the agency’s conclusion in December that chemicals used in fracking are present in the groundwater. Encana has not responded officially to the new tests, but the Associated Press cites a spokesman who said that the test wells were “improperly constructed.”
The latest study results are available here.
Paul Ausick
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.