Hydraulic Fracturing and the Safe Drinking Water Act: Outreach

This page focuses on outreach related to hydraulic fracturing and the Safe Drinking Water Act. For outreach related to EPA's study of hydraulic fracturing and other Agency activities to address hydraulic fracturing see the links below:

• EPA's Final Hydraulic Fracturing Study and Related Information
• Natural Gas Extraction - Hydraulic Fracturing

Underground Injection Control Guidance (UIC) for Permitting Oil and Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels

EPA has developed draft Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class II permitting guidance for oil and gas hydraulic fracturing activities using diesel fuels. This document describes information useful in permitting the underground injection of oil-and gas-related hydraulic fracturing using diesel fuels where EPA is the permitting authority. EPA's goal is to improve compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements and strengthen environmental protections consistent with existing law.

Public Input During the Comment Period

• Notification of Consultation and Coordination on Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels (Draft) - July 26, 2012 (PDF) (4 pp, 523K)

• Public Meeting on Draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels
  • Public Listening Session Meeting Summary - June 29, 2012 (PDF) (8 pp, 136K)

• Draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels
  • Tribal Consultation Webinar Presentation - June 25, 2012 (PDF) (32 pp, 1MB)
  • Tribal Consultation Webinar Meeting Summary - June 25, 2012 (PDF) (5 pp, 178K)
  • Tribal Consultation Webinar Presentation – August 9, 2012 (PDF) (27 pp, 511K)
  • Tribal Consultation Webinar Meeting Summary – August 9, 2012 (PDF) (4 pp, 80K)

Public Input During UIC Permitting Guidance Development

The Agency held four technical webinars with specific stakeholder groups. Experts contributed by providing technical input on topics related to operating and regulating underground injection in oil and gas formations, specifically when diesel fuels are used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.

EPA Presentations:
• Underground Injection Control 101 (PDF) (42 pp, 2MB)
• Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels (PDF) (27 pp, 289K)

Meeting Summaries on Hydraulic Fracturing Using Diesel Fuels:
• State and Tribal Partner Webinar: May 9, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF) (7 pp, 45K)
• Federal Partner Webinar: May 10, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF)(6 pp, 52K)
• Industry Representatives Webinar: May 11, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF) (6 pp, 49K)
• Environmental Organizations Webinar: May 16, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF) (6 pp, 41K)

Two general public webinars were also held to provide background to solicit input on planned guidance:

• Tribal Representatives Webinar: June 2, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF) (2 pp, 38K)
• Underground Injection Control 101 Presentation (PDF) (42 pp, 780K)
• EPA's Approach to Developing Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels Presentation (PDF) (25 pp, 280K)
• Public Stakeholders Webinar: June 15, 2011 Meeting Summary (PDF) (8 pp, 60K)
• EPA's Approach to Developing Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels Presentation (PDF) (55 pp, 1MB)

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