Water testing: Difference between revisions

====Regulatory challenges and debates====

=====Hydraulic fracturing=====

The [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]] created a loophole that exempts companies drilling for natural gas from disclosing the chemicals involved in fracturing operations that would normally be required under federal clean water laws.<ref>United States. Energy Policy Act of 2005, {{USPL|109|58}}, approved 2005-08-08. Amended Safe Drinking Water Act § 1421(d). See {{USC|42|300h}}.</ref> The loophole is commonly known as the "Halliburton loophole" because Dick Cheney, the former chief executive officer of Halliburton, was reportedly instrumental in its passage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dorner |first=Joshua |title=Cheney's Culture of Deregulation and Corruption |url=http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/cheney_deregulation.html |publisher=Center for American Progress |accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref> Although the Safe Drinking Water Act excludes [[hydraulic fracturing]] from the Underground Injection Control regulations, the use of diesel fuel during hydraulic fracturing is still regulated. State oil and gas agencies may issue additional regulations for hydraulic fracturing. States or EPA have the authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate discharge of produced waters from hydraulic fracturing operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Under the Safe Drinking Water Act |date=15 January 2013 |url=http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/wells_hydroreg.cfm |publisher=EPA |accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref>