Cramer Statement on EP Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources From Hydraulic Fracturing Activities

Press Release

Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities concluding they "have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources."

"I am thankful the EPA's own scientists and researchers have confirmed what the people of North Dakota have known all along; hydraulic fracturing is safe and not a threat to safe drinking water. The EPA acknowledges states play a primary role in regulating most natural gas and oil development and they have safely managed and regulated hydraulic fracturing for decades. The BLM should take this assessment into account and withdraw their hydraulic fracturing rule which is duplicative to state regulations the EPA has confirmed protect our groundwater," said Cramer.

Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission's portfolio, including pipeline and electrical transmission siting, regulation of North Dakota's three investor owned utilities, and management of North Dakota's Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act State primacy program.

The EPA states its' draft assessment benefited from extensive stakeholder engagement conducted across the country with states, tribes, industry, non-governmental organizations, the scientific community, and the public to ensure the draft assessment reflects current practices in hydraulic fracturing and utilizes all data and information available to the agency.

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