Frackers in Pennsylvania used illegal additives
Barbara McPherson When fracking approaches an old vertical well, blowouts can happen An environmental watchdog group, Environmental Integrity Project(EIP), has blown the whistle on frackers in Pennsylvania who have been pumping kerosene into their wells. Much of the fracking liquid used in the petrochemical industry’s rock fracturing operations is unregulated in the USA. The Energy Policy Act 2005 makes most of the additives exempt from regulation except for diesel. Diesel and its products can be used if a permit is granted. EIP’s report Fracking Beyond the Law , alleges that using the companies’ own self-reported date that kerosene, derived from diesel, has been used in Pennsylvania operations. There have been no permits issued for its use. They go on to state that diesel has been used widely throughout the states to extract oil and gas. "Injecting diesel fuel into the ground to fracture shale and extract gas or oil is a potential threat to drinking water supplies...