The release of the California Council on Science & Technology study of hydraulic fracturing is another important step in the implementation of the state’s comprehensive hydraulic fracturing regulations.
The science-based findings of the CCST report stand in sharp contrast to much of the inflammatory and inaccurate commentary offered by anti-oil organizations about hydraulic fracturing and oil production in California.
While there is much to absorb in the 858-pages of the report, the overarching conclusion is that no science-based evidence was identified that hydraulic fracturing in California has harmed the environment in any significant way.
Other significant findings from today’s CCST report include:
- No evidence was found that chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing have harmed the environment.
- No evidence was found that hydraulic fracturing in California has contaminated groundwater.
- Fluids injected into oil formations during hydraulic fracturing operations are not likely to cause earthquakes.
- Air pollution associated with hydraulic fracturing is small compared to other sources of pollution.
- If hydraulic fracturing expands in California it will most likely be in the existing oil fields of Kern County where the technology has been used for many decades.
- The amount of water used in hydraulic fracturing operations is small compared to other human water uses.
- Hydraulic fracturing has been used in a small number of cases in offshore production but is not expected to become a significant part of offshore production in the future.