There was a time where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safe guarded our air and water from major polluters and held them accountable. All that changed in 1996 when exceptions were made to the Safe Drinking Water Act.
EPA Exemptions
Oil and gas companies claim to be caring and responsible neighbors, but by law they are exempt by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) from disclosing what is injected underground. Until the SDWA amended to remove such provisions there can be no trust between residents living near fracking sites.
COGCC
The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission also has Rules that help hide what chemicals are being injected into the ground and through aquifers.
The Loophole
The Halliburton Loophole, a controversial exemption within the United States federal regulations, allows oil and gas companies to withhold information about the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) processes. This lack of transparency poses significant risks to both public health and the environment, as these undisclosed chemicals may be highly toxic, carcinogenic, or have other adverse effects. In some instances, chemicals used in fracking have been known to contaminate nearby water supplies and cause severe health issues for local communities. The loophole, named after the oil services company that lobbied for its inclusion, effectively undermines the Safe Drinking Water Act by preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating the injection of fracking fluids into the ground.
Well Casing Failure
Well casings are a critical component of the fracking process, as they serve to isolate the drilling fluids, gas, and oil from surrounding groundwater sources. However, these casings can and have failed due to various factors, such as poor cementing, corrosion, or pressure build-up from the fracking process itself. When well casings fail, there is an increased risk of groundwater contamination from hazardous chemicals and methane gas. This poses a threat to nearby water sources and can result in serious consequences for the environment and public health. Despite being a known issue, the loophole enables oil and gas companies to avoid disclosing information about the chemicals used, which hampers efforts to assess and address the potential risks and damages associated with well casing failures.
Surface Leaks
Surface leaks are another significant concern in the fracking process, as they can lead to groundwater contamination if the leaks make their way into underground water sources. This can occur through spills or leaks at the drilling site, or when fracking wastewater is improperly stored or disposed of. The risk of contamination from surface leaks is compounded by the Halliburton Loophole, as the lack of transparency around the chemicals used in fracking makes it difficult for regulators and communities to effectively monitor and respond to potential threats. This combination of surface leaks and regulatory exemptions leaves groundwater sources vulnerable to contamination, which can have far-reaching consequences for both public health and the environment.
Conclusion
How can residents trust oil and gas and our government once more? Transparency. It’s not hard. Anything that directly goes through our aquifers need to be disclosed. So ask our legislators for just that – Be transparent by not shrouding what is being injected by laws and regulations.
