Monday, August 24, 2009

EPA Confirms Water Contaminants From Oil And Gas Production

Below are two articles about EPA testing of water wells in Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and Encana assured the residents that there was not any water contamination. The EPA has proven them wrong. 11 or the 39 wells were contaminated.

Another example why you should never, never trust the gas and oil companies!!!
If gas and oil had to play by the same rules as all other industries and be regulated by the Federal Government, this would not be an issue.
Please let Washington know NO MORE LOOPHOLES FOR GAS AND OIL COMPANIES!

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_df60fb62-890c-11de-b184-001cc4c002e0.html

http://earthworksaction.org/PR_EPApavillionDrinkingWater.cfm

Pavillion, WY, August 14, 2009 - This week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told a group of over 70 that initial investigations found 11 of 39 tested drinking water wells were contaminated. Among the contaminants are toxics used in oil and gas production.


As part of a Superfund investigation, EPA began sampling in March 2009 in the Pavillion, WY area in response to multiple landowners concerns about changes in water quality and quantity following EnCana's increased gas development in the area. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and EnCana had continually assured Pavillion residents that there was no evidence of hydrocarbons or toxic chemicals in their drinking water wells.

"Our families and neighbors are experiencing everything from miscarriages and rare cancers to central nervous system disorders, seizures, and liver disease" said John Fenton of Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens, a citizens group formed to address oil and gas contamination.

Full cooperation in this instance requires that EnCana fully disclose what products and chemicals have been used in the Pavillion/Muddy Ridge fields," says Deb Thomas, organizer for the Power River Basin Resource Council and the Pavillion Area of Concerned Citizens. "This shows why federal regulation of fracturing and drilling operations is so important. We have been seeking answers from EnCana and the State of Wyoming for years. We are very pleased that EPA is now getting results. All citizens deserve clean water."

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