earthjustice fracking petition
TRANSCRIPT
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ALASKA CALIFORNIA FLORIDA MID-PACIF IC NORTHEAST NORTHERN ROCKIES
NORTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WASHINGTON, DC INTERNATIONAL
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August4,2011
BYHANDDELIVERY
LisaP.Jackson,Administrator
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
ArielRiosBuilding
1200PennsylvaniaAvenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20460
Re: CitizenPetitionunderToxicSubstancesControlActRegardingtheChemicalSubstances
andMixturesUsedinOilandGasExplorationorProduction
DearAdministratorJackson:
Theundersignedorganizations (Petitioners)herebypetition theU.S.Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA),15U.S.C.2620,topromulgaterulesprotectingpublichealthandtheenvironment
from the serious risks posed by chemical substances and mixtures used in oil and gas
explorationorproduction(E&PChemicals). Specifically,PetitionersrequestthatEPAadopt
a ruleunderTSCA section4, requiring thatmanufacturersandprocessorsofE&PChemicals
conducttoxicitytestingofallE&PChemicalsandidentifyallchemicalsubstancesandmixtures
tested. See id. 2603. Petitioners also seek promulgation of a rule under TSCA section 8,requiringmaintenanceandsubmissionofvariousrecordsrelatedtoE&PChemicals,callinginrecords of allegations of significant adverse reactions to E&P Chemicals, and requiring
submissionofallexistinghealthandsafetystudiesrelatedtoE&PChemicals. Seeid.2607(a),(c), (d). RulemakingunderTSCAsections4and8 isnecessary toensure that thehealthand
environmentalrisksposedbyE&PChemicalsarefullyunderstood.
EPA and the public lack adequate information about the health and environmental
effectsofE&PChemicals,whichareusedinincreasingamountstofacilitatetherapidexpansion
ofoilandgasdevelopment throughout theUnitedStates. Within thenext20years, theU.S.
DepartmentofEnergyexpectsgasproductiontoincreasebymorethanfourtrillioncubicfeet,1
which
could
translate
into
the
drilling
of
more
than
60,000
wells
in
the
Marcellus
Shale
in
Pennsylvaniaalone.2 Oilproduction,too,isontheriseforthefirsttimeinover20years,asa
*AlldocumentscitedinthefollowingfootnotesarereproducedontheenclosedCDRom.1U.S.DeptofEnergy,U.S.EnergyInfo.Admin.,AnnualEnergyOutlook2009,77(Mar.2009),availableathttp://www.eia.doe.gove/oiaf/aeo/pdf/trend_4.pdf.2SeeNelsJohnson,PennsylvaniaEnergyImpactsAssessment,Report1:MarcellusShaleNaturalGasandWind,NATURECONSERVANCY,12(Nov.15,2010),http://www.nature.org/media/pa/tnc_energy_analysis.pdf.
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result of the recent exploitation of unconventional plays such as the Bakken andNiobrara
Shales.
Thegrowthoftheoilandgasindustryisattributabletothewidespreaduseofhydraulic
fracturing, a technology that involves highpressure injection of amix of fluids, sand, and
chemicalstostimulatethereleaseofoilandgasfromunconventionalformations. Oilandgasdevelopmentrequirestheuseofbothdrillingmuds,whichareusedtoshortendrillingtimeand
lubricatethedrillbit,andfracturingfluids,whichareusedtocreatefracturesintheformation
andtoholdthefracturesopen toreleasetheoilandgas. Drillingmudsandfracturingfluids
requiresimilarclassesofchemicaladditives,includingproppants,acids,breakers,bactericides,
biocides,claystabilizers,corrosioninhibitors,crosslinkers,frictionreducers,gellingagents,iron
controls,scaleinhibitors,andsurfactants.3 Welloperatorsvarythechemicaladditivesthatthey
use,based upon the characteristics of thewell and production objectives.4 More than ten
thousandgallonsofE&PChemicalsmaybeusedtofractureasinglewell.5
Underthe
current
regulatory
scheme,
manufacturers,
processors,
and
distributors
place
substantialquantitiesofE&PChemicals intocommercewithout firstdisclosingthechemicals
identity, toxicity, or health and environmental impacts. Chemical manufacturers and
processors are,moreover, under no obligation to conduct toxicity testing or to develop or
provide health and safety data for E&P Chemicals. As a result, the public lacks adequate
informationtoevaluatetherisksofharmtohealthandtheenvironmentposedbyexposureto
E&P Chemicals. Mounting reports of harm causedby E&P Chemicals, including injury to
people,animals,andaquatic life,anddegradationofair,water,andsoilquality,demonstrate
thatunregulatedE&PChemicalsmaypresentanunreasonableriskofharmtohealthand the
environment.
CongressenactedTSCAtoensuretheavailabilityofadequatedataonthehealthand
environmentaleffectsofchemicalsandtoassurethat...chemicalsubstancesandmixturesdo
3SeeN.Y.DeptofEnvtl.Conservation,Div.ofMineralRes.,DraftSupplementalGenericEnvironmental
ImpactStatementontheOil,Gas,andSolutionMiningRegulatoryProgram,545to551(2009),availableatftp://ftp.dec.state.ny.us/dmn/download/OGdSGEISFull.pdf(hereinafterDSGEIS);RonaldE.Bishop,Ph.D.,ChemicalandBiologicalRiskAssessmentforNaturalGasExtractioninNewYork,11(Mar.28,2011),http://www.ge.tt/#2VfEsZw(statingthatmosthydraulicfracturingadditivesarealsousedindrilling
fluids(ormuds)).4DSGEIS,supranote3,at533to534,599.5Seeid.at534(explainingthatfracturingfluidstypicallyarecomposedof98percentfreshwaterand
sandandtwopercentchemicals),592to593(statingthattheentiremultistagefracturingoperationfora
singlewellrequiresbetween2.4and7.8milliongallonsofwater);cf.TravisMadsen,JordanSchneider&
ErikaStaaf,IntheShadowoftheMarcellusBoom,PENNENVIRONMENTRESEARCH&POLICYCTR.,16(May2011),http://www.pennenvironment.org/uploads/49/f3/49f38a45f956d58a210d7e24a17ec26a/Inthe
ShadowoftheMarcellusBoom.pdf(estimatingthatonegaswellthatrequiresthreemilliongallonsof
fluidwouldrequireapproximately250,000poundsofchemicals).
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notpresentanunreasonableriskofinjurytohealthortheenvironment.6 Atpresent,EPAand
the public lack adequate data about the identity of E&P Chemicals, the number of E&P
Chemicalsincommerce,significantadversereactionsposedbyE&PChemicals,andhealthand
environmentalhazards,exposures,andrisksposedbyE&PChemicals. Petitionersrequestthat
EPAensurethatE&PChemicalsdonotpresentanunreasonableriskofharmtohealthandthe
environmentbypromulgatingrulesunderTSCAsections4and8.
I. NeitherEPAsStudyofthePotentialDrinkingWaterImpactsofHydraulicFracturingnoraVoluntaryOnlineChemicalRegistryIsaSubstituteforRulemakingsUnder
TSCASections4and8.
EPAandotherorganizationsrecentlyhavemadeattemptstoaddressincreasedpublic
concernaboutthepotentialriskstohealthandtheenvironmentposedbyE&PChemicals. EPA
currentlyisconductingastudyofthepotentialimpactsofhydraulicfracturingondrinking
watersources.7 Inaddition,theGroundwaterProtectionCouncil(GWPC)andtheInterstate
Oiland
Gas
Compact
Commission
(IOGCC)
recently
created
an
online
registry
whereby
well
operatorsmayvoluntarilydisclosethechemicalstheyuseintheirfracturingoperations.8
NeitherEPAsstudynorthevoluntaryregistryimposesenforceablerequirementsupon
manufacturers,processors,ordistributorsofE&PChemicals,andrulemakingspursuantto
TSCAsections4and8arenecessarytofillthisgap.
A. EPAsStudy
EPAsstudyofthepossiblerelationshipsbetweenhydraulicfracturinganddrinking
waterwillnotreplacerulemakingsunderTSCAsections4and8. AlthoughE&PChemicalsdothreatendrinkingwatersupplies,theirpotentialtocauseharmtohealthandtheenvironment
doesnotstopthere.9 E&PChemicalsalsothreatenhumanhealthwhentheybecomeairborne,
andtheyposesignificantrisksofharmtosoilquality,habitatforbothterrestrialandaquatic
wildlife,andthehealthyfunctioningofcomplexecosystems.
615U.S.C.2601(b)(1),(3)(2006).7SeeEPA,OfficeofResearchandDev.,DraftPlantoStudythePotentialImpactsofHydraulicFracturing
onDrinkingWaterResources,atvii(Feb.2011),availableathttp://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/upload/HFStudyPlanDraft_SAB_0
20711.pdf(hereinafterEPAStudy)(Theoverallpurposeofthisstudyistounderstandtherelationship
betweenhydraulicfracturinganddrinkingwaterresources.).8SeeGWPC&IOGCC,FracFocusChemicalDisclosureRegistry,http://fracfocus.org/(lastvisitedAug.2,
2011).9SeeEPAStudy,supranote7,atviii(EPArecognizesthatthereareimportantpotentialresearchareas
relatedtohydraulicfracturingotherthanthoseinvolvingdrinkingwaterresources,includingeffectson
airquality,aquaticandterrestrialecosystemimpacts,seismicrisks,publicsafetyconcerns,occupational
risks,andeconomicimpacts. Thesetopicsareoutsidethescopeofthecurrentstudy,butshouldbe
examinedinthefuture.).
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Tofacilitateitsstudy,EPAdirectedinformationalrequeststoninehydraulicfracturing
serviceproviders,yetonlyfiveofthoseserviceprovidersalsomanufactureorprocessE&P
Chemicals.10 Byrelyinglargelyonserviceproviderstorelaysecondhandinformationfrom
manufacturers,EPAsrequestsfailtoreachmanyofthoseresponsibleforintroducingE&P
Chemicalsintocommerceinthefirstplace.11 BecausemanufacturersofE&PChemicalsoftendiscloseminimalinformationaboutproductcompositionstotheircustomers,anyresponses
submittedbytheserviceprovidersarelikelytobeincomplete.12 Serviceproviders,moreover,
frequentlyresistdisclosure. Infact,noneofserviceprovidersrespondedtoEPAsrequest
withinthe30daydeadlineestablishedintheletters,andoneofthemHalliburtonpromised
complianceonlyafterEPAsubpoenaedtheinformation.
EPAsstudyfallsshortofTSCArulemakingsbecauseitwillnotrequiremanufacturers
andprocessors of E&PChemicals to takeproactive efforts to conduct testing or to develop
healthandsafetydataneededtoevaluatethehealthandenvironmentalrisksoftheirsubstances
andmixtures.
Instead,
EPAs
study
simply
requires
service
providers
to
gather
information
availabletothemmuchofwhichisobtainedfromthemanufacturersandsubmitittoEPA.
EPAthenwillundertakeitsowneffortstoevaluatetheinformationsubmittedtodeterminethe
effectsofhydraulicfracturingondrinkingwatersupplies. RulemakingsunderTSCAsections4
and 8, on the other hand, would hold manufacturers and processors of E&P Chemicals
responsible forgathering information, testing theirproducts,anddevelopingand submitting
healthandsafetyreports.13
B. TheVoluntaryRegistryThe GWPC and the IOGCC recently created an online registry throughwhichwell
operatorsmayvoluntarilydisclosethechemicalsthattheyuseinhydraulicfracturingofoiland
10EPAissuedvoluntaryinformationrequeststothefollowingninenaturalgasservicecompanies: BJ
Services,CompleteProductionServices,Halliburton,KeyEnergyServices,PattersonUTI,PRC,Inc.,
Schlumberger,SuperiorWellServices,andWeatherford. SeePressRelease,EPA,EPAFormallyRequests
InformationfromCompaniesAboutChemicalsUsedinNaturalGasExtraction(Sept.9,2010),
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e77fdd4f5afd88a3852576b3005a604f/ec57125b66353b7e8525779
9005c1d64!OpenDocument. OnlyfiveofthecompaniesBJServices,Inc.,Halliburton,Schlumberger,
SuperiorWellServices,andWeatherfordalsofunctionasmanufacturersorprocessorsofE&P
Chemicals. EPAdidnotserveinformationrequestsonothermanufacturersandprocessorsofE&P
Chemicals,suchasCuddEnergyServices,NalcoEnergyServices,SanjelUSA,andAquanessChemical.11SeeTEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,5(Jan.27,2011),
http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.multistate.php(followlinktosummarystatement)
(explainingthatdrillingandfracturingcontractorscompanieslargelyrelyoninformationfromchemical
manufacturerswhenrespondingtorequestsabouttheidentityofthechemicalstheyuseatwellsites).12Id.13See15U.S.C.2601(b)(1).
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gaswells.14 Welloperators thatchoose touse the registryhave theopportunity touploada
variety of information about the chemicals they use at eachwell, including their functional
purposes,ingredients,concentrations,andCASnumbers.15 Thisvoluntaryregistryisdesigned
to allow the public to identify the chemicalsbeing used at specific wells at least those
chemicalsthatarevoluntarilydisclosed.
LikeEPAsstudy,thevoluntaryregistryisnotaimedatthemanufacturers,processors,
anddistributorsofE&PChemicalswhoareanswerableunderTSCA. Moreover, theregistry
doesnotimposeanyenforceablerequirementsuponthewellownersandoperatorsthatmake
orchoosenot tomakevoluntarydisclosures. Because theregistry isbaseduponvoluntary
disclosures, operatorsmay choose to disclose only those chemicals posing the least risk to
healthandtheenvironment,andthepubliccouldreceivemisleadingorselectiveinformation.
II. RulemakingsUnderTSCASections4and8AreNecessarytoFillSignificantGapsin
FederalRegulationofE&PChemicals.
Federal agencies have extremely limited authority to regulate E&P Chemicals.16
Hydraulic fracturing is exempt from regulation under the Underground Injection Control
programoftheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,exceptwheninjectedfluidscontaindieselfuel.17 Were
hydraulic fracturingnotspecificallyexcluded from thedefinitionofunderground injection,
theoilandgas industrywouldbe required todisclose inmandatorypermitapplications the
sourceandanalysisofthephysicalandchemicalcharacteristicsofallofthechemicalsinjected
belowgroundtostimulateoilandgasproduction.18 Thisexemption,commonlyknownasthe
HalliburtonLoophole,allows theoilandgas industry toconcealchemical formulasand to
injecttoxicfluidsneardrinkingwatersupplieswithoutEPAoversight.19
14SeeFracFocusChemicalDisclosureRegistry,supranote8.15TheChemicalAbstractsServiceisadivisionoftheAmericanChemicalSocietyandtheworlds[sic]
authorityforchemicalinformation. CAS,FAQListandInformationforNewVisitors,
http://www.cas.org/aboutcas/faq.html(lastvisitedAug.2,2010). ACASNumberprovidesan
unambiguouswaytoidentifyachemicalsubstanceormolecularstructurewhentherearemanypossible
systematic,generic,proprietary,ortrivialnames. Id.16SeeMemorandumfromHenryA.Waxman&EdwardJ.MarkeytoMembersoftheSubcommitteeon
EnergyandEnvironment,ExaminingthePotentialImpactofHydraulicFracturing,2(Feb.18,2010),
availableathttp://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20100218/hydraulic_fracturing_memo.pdf.1742U.S.C.300h(d)(1)(B)(ii).18EPAForm75206:UndergroundInjectionControlPermitApplication,5(rev.Dec.2008),availableathttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/pdfs/reportingforms/75206.pdf.19SeeTracyCarluccio,WillWeSacrificeOurWaterforGas?,OUTDOORAMERICA,Spring2010,at2728,availableathttp://www.iwla.org/index.php?ht=a/GetDocumentAction/i/4272.
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TheoilandgasindustryalsoavoidsregulationundertheResourceConservationand
RecoveryAct(RCRA),whichsetsthestandardsforhandlinganddisposalofhazardous
wastes.20Wastescreatedbyoilandgasexplorationandproduction,includingE&PChemicals
presentindrillingfluidsandproducedwaters,arenotsubjecttoregulationunderRCRA.21
WereoilandgaswastessubjecttoRCRA,thosechargedwithhandlingthewasteswouldbe
requiredtodemonstratethatthewasteswere,forexample,stored,transported,anddisposedofinawaynotharmfultotheenvironment.22
Inaddition,theoilandgasindustryisexemptfromtheprovisionoftheEmergency
PlanningandCommunityRighttoKnowAct(EPCRA),underwhichEPArequiresindustrial
andfederalfacilitieswithmorethantenemployeestoreportthetoxicchemicalstheyrelease,
store,andtransfer.23 Specifically,anyfacilitythatmanufacturesorprocessesachemicalin
amountsoverstatutorythresholdsmustsubmitformsdetailingthechemicalidentities,uses,
andvolumes;aswellasonsitewastetreatmentandrecyclingmethodsandoffsitetransfer
locations.24 Thechemicalinformationcontainedinthesereports,whereotherwisemandatedby
EPCRA,is
made
publicly
available
in
the
Toxic
Release
Inventory,
which
is
updated
annually
andservestoinformcommunitiesandcitizensofchemicalhazardstowhichtheymaybe
exposed.25
Although a few federal regulations require storage facilities and manufacturers to
disclosecertain informationabout thechemicals theystoreandmanufacture, the information
gatheredpursuanttotheseregulationsisextremelylimitedandnotreadilyavailabletoEPAor
thepublic. First,underEPCRA,ownersandoperatorsofstoragefacilitiesholdinginexcessof
10,000poundsofanyhazardouschemicalmustsubmitchemicalinventoryinformation(TierII
reports) to the state emergency response commission (SERC), local emergency planning
committee(LEPC),andthelocalfiredepartmentintheareawherethefacilitiesarelocated.26
EverystateimplementingthefederalprogramhasdifferentTierIIreportingrequirements,and
the forms required tobe completedby the storage facilitiesmay differby county andby
20See42U.S.C.6921(b)(2)(A).21Seeid.([D]rillingfluids,producedwaters,andotherwastesassociatedwiththeexploration,development,orproductionofcrudeoilornaturalgasorgeothermalenergyshallbesubjectonlyto
existingStateorFederalregulatoryprogramsinlieuofthissubchapter....).22See42U.S.C.6922.2340C.F.R.372.22.,372.23(2011).24Id.372.25,375.28;EPA,FormR:ApprovedOMBNo.20250009(2010),
http://www.epa.gov/tri/report/formR/RY2010_FormR_010511.pdf.25Seeid.2642U.S.C.11022(a)(1);40C.F.R.317.10(settingthethresholdforTierIIreportsat10,000poundsfor
hazardoussubstancesand500poundsforextremelyhazardoussubstances).
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company.27 ToobtainTierIIreports,moreover,thepublicmustrequesttheminwritingfrom
anSERCorLEPC.28
Second,underEPCRAandtheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAct,manufacturersand
importersofE&PChemicalsarerequiredtodisclosecertainchemicalsonmaterialsafetydata
sheets(MSDSs),whicharedesignedtoprotectemployeesworkingwithhazardouschemicals
byinformingthemabouttherisksassociatedwiththosechemicals.29 MSDSsaregovernedby
regulationspromulgatedby theOccupational Safety andHealthAdministration (OSHA).30
Withorbeforetheinitialshipment,manufacturersandimportersmustprovideMSDSstoany
distributororemployerreceiving theirproducts,andemployersmustkeep theMSDSs in the
workplaceandmakethemreadilyaccessibletoemployees.31 Employersrequired tomaintain
MSDSs at their facilities must file them with the SERC, LEPC, and fire department with
jurisdictionoverthefacility.32 ThepublicmayobtainMSDSsonlyuponwrittenrequesttostate
andlocalagencies.33
MSDSsaretheprimarymeansbywhichthepublichasbeenabletoobtaininformationabout E&P Chemicals, yet the information they provide is inadequate to identify the full
spectrum of E&PChemicals or to evaluate the chemicals health and environmental effects.
This inadequacy results from OSHAs regulations governing MSDSs, which limit the
informationrequiredtobedisclosedinseveralways. First,onlyhazardouschemicalsneedto
bedisclosedonMSDSs,andachemicalmusthavebeensubjecttosignificant testingbefore it
willbeconsideredhazardousundertheregulations.34 Thereis,however,norequirementthat
E&PChemicalseverbetested. Second,evenwhereachemicalthathasbeensufficientlytested
qualifiesashazardous,themanufacturermayoptnottodiscloseit ifitconstituteslessthan
onepercentof thevolumeof theproduct (or0.1percentof thevolumeof theproduct if the
27See,e.g.,EPA,TierIIChemicalInventoryReports/TierIISubmit,
http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/epcra/tier2.htm(lastvisitedAug.2,2011)(providinglinkstothe
differentreportingrequirementsofeachofthe50states).2840C.F.R.370.61.2942U.S.C.11021(a)(1);29U.S.C.655;29C.F.R.1910.1200(g)(1)(requiringchemicalmanufacturers
andimporterstoobtainordevelopanMSDSforeachhazardouschemicaltheyproduceorimport).3029C.F.R.1910.1200.31Id.1910.1200(g)(6)(i),(8).3242U.S.C.11021(a)(1).33See40C.F.R.370.60.34See29C.F.R.1910.1200(c). A[h]azardouschemicalmeansanychemicalwhichisaphysicalhazardorahealthhazard. Id. Aphysicalhazardisachemicalforwhichthereisscientificallyvalidevidencethatitisacombustibleliquid,acompressedgas,explosive,flammable,anorganicperoxide,anoxidizer,
pyrophoric,unstable(reactive)orwaterreactive. Id. Ahealthhazardisachemicalforwhichthereisstatisticallysignificantevidencebasedonatleastonestudyconductedinaccordancewithestablished
scientificprinciplesthatacuteorchronichealtheffectsmayoccurinexposedemployees. Id.
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chemical is a carcinogen).35 Third, a hazardous chemical need not be disclosed if the
manufacturer claims that its identity is a trade secret.36 Themanufacturer unilaterallymay
withhold specific chemical information as proprietary if it determines that the trade secret
classificationcanbesupported.37
Above all, MSDSs are an inadequate source of information because the chemicalmanufacturershavewidediscretioninpreparingthesheets.38 OSHApublisheslittleguidance
as towhether a chemical is hazardous and insteaddirects themanufacturers to conduct a
thorough evaluation as towhether a chemicalmustbe disclosed.39 OSHA recognizes four
separate lists identifying chemicals that are automatically hazardous as defined by the
regulations,40but these lists are incomplete, contain only chemicals that already havebeen
testedextensively,andareneitheruserfriendlynorreadilyunderstoodbytheordinarycitizen.
Moreover, federal regulators provide little oversight in themanufacturers decisionmaking
process.41 Given thebroadexceptions carvedout inOSHAs regulations, themanufacturers
amplediscretion,andOSHAslackofoversight,theregulationsdonotprovidemuchincentive
fordisclosure
on
MSDSs.
Inpractice,whenpreparingMSDSs,manufacturersofE&PChemicalstakeadvantageof
the amplediscretion providedbyOSHAs regulations and omit vital information about the
chemical composition of their products.42 For example, although manufacturers have
35Seeid.1910.1200(d)(5)(ii).36Seeid.1910.1200(g)(2)(i).37Id.1910.1200(i)(1)(i).38See,e.g.,29C.F.R.1910.1200,App.B(Hazardevaluationisaprocesswhichreliesheavilyonthe
professionaljudgment
of
the
evaluator);
seealsoTEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,supranote11,at1(Theaccuracyandcompleteness[ofMSDSs]areentirelyuptothecompanythatproducesthe
MSDS).3929C.F.R.1910.1200,App.B.40ChemicalmanufacturersmusttreatachemicalashazardousandlistitonanMSDSifitislisted(1)in29
C.F.R.part1910,subpartZ,(2)ontheThresholdLimitValuesforChemicalSubstancesandPhysical
AgentsintheWorkEnvironment,AmericanConferenceofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists(latest
edition),(3)asacarcinogenbytheNationalToxicologyProgram,or(4)asacarcinogenbytheAnnual
ReportonCarcinogens,InternationalAgencyforResearchonCancerMonographs. Seeid.
1910.1200(d)(3)(4).41See29C.F.R.1910.1200,App.B. OSHAdoesnotinterveneinthedecisionmakingprocessofthe
manufacturerswhenpreparingMSDSs;however,uponOSHAsrequest,manufacturersmustbeableto
demonstratethattheyhaveadequatelyascertainedthehazardsofthechemicalsproducedorimported.
Id.42TheoColborn,CarolKwiatkowski,KimSchultz,&MaryBachran,NaturalGasOperationsfromaPublicHealthPerspective,INTLJ.HUMAN&ECOLOGICALRISKASSESSMENT(forthcoming2011)(manuscriptat7),http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/files/Oct2011HERA1048forweb3311.pdf. TEDXstudiedwhatit
referstoaschemicalproducts,whichcontainavarietyofchemicalsubstances. AlthoughTEDXdoes
notusethetermmixtureasitisdefinedunderTSCA,thefracturingproductsevaluatedinTEDXs
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distributedhundredsofMSDSs forproductsused ingasdevelopment,astudyperformedby
The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), a nonprofit organization that provides
scientificinformationaboutendocrinedisruptors,demonstratesthattheseMSDSsarefraught
withgaps.43 Ofthe980MSDSsgatheredbyTDEX,421ofthemrepresenting43percentofthe
chemicalproductsdisclosedlessthanonepercentoftheproductschemicalcomposition.44 Of
theremainingMSDSs,only133ofthemrepresentingonly14percentofthechemicalproductsdisclosedmorethan95percentoftheproductschemicalcomposition.45 Inaddition,manyof
theseMSDSseitherprovidedfunctionaldescriptionsinplaceofchemicalingredientsoromitted
CAS numbers.46 As TEDX explained, its review demonstrates that MSDSs can easily be
inaccurateandincomplete.47
III. Rulemakings Under TSCA Sections 4 and 8 Are Necessary to Fill Gaps in State
RegulationofE&PChemicals.
Moststatesdonotroutinelydisclosetothepublic informationtheyreceiveaboutE&P
Chemicals,evenwhentheinformationisnotclaimedtobeproprietary,andnostateisrequiring
toxicitytestingordevelopmentofhealthandsafetydata. WyominghasimplementedthemostfarreachingregulationsgoverningdisclosureofE&PChemicals,yeteventheseregulationsfall
shortofwhat a rulemakingunderTSCA sections4 and 8wouldprovide. Wyomings rules
require that well owners and operators disclose to the states Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission(WYOGCC)theidentitiesandconcentrationsofallchemicalsthatwillbeusedat
eachwell site.48 Wyomings rules, however,do not require toxicity testing or disclosure of
health and environmental impacts of the chemicals. Moreover, like EPAs current study,
Wyomings rulesdo not reachmanufacturers,processors, ordistributors ofE&PChemicals,
unlessthewellowneroroperatorisacompanysuchasHalliburtonorSchlumbergerthatalso
manufactures,processes,ordistributesE&PChemicals.
Wyomingsnewlyenactedregulationsandtheoilandgasindustrysresponsetothem
demonstratethattheoilandgasindustry isresistanttodisclosureofE&PChemicals. Infact,
sinceWyomings regulationswereenacted inAugust2010, theWYOGCChas receivedmore
studymeetTSCAsdefinitionofmixture. See15U.S.C.2602(8)(Thetermmixturemeansany
combinationoftwoormorechemicalsubstancesifthecombinationdoesnotoccurinnatureandisnot,in
wholeorinpart,theresultofachemicalreaction;exceptthatsuchtermdoesincludeanycombination
whichoccurs,inwholeorinpart,asaresultofachemicalreactionifnoneofthechemicalsubstances
comprisingthecombinationisanewchemicalsubstanceandifthecombinationcouldahavebeen
manufacturedforcommercialpurposeswithoutachemicalreactionatthetimethechemicalsubstances
comprisingthemixturewerecombined.).43Colborn,supranote42,manuscriptat7.44TEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,supranote11,at2.45Id.46Id.at1.47Colborn,supranote42,manuscriptat7.48SeeWy.CodeR.OilGen.Ch.345(d).
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than 90 trade secret claims for E&PChemicals.49 Although some of those submitting trade
secret claims disclosed all ingredients except for those chemical substances claimed to be
proprietary,otherssubmittedblanketconfidentialityclaimsandrefusedtodiscloseanyofthe
chemicalsubstancesusedatthewellsitesonthegroundsthatsomeofthemwereproprietary.50
AlthoughTSCAalsoprovidesanopportunityformanufacturers,processors,anddistributorsto
presenttradesecretclaims,EPAcurrentlyisundertakingeffortstoensurethatTSCAslimitedtradesecretprovisionsarenotabusedandthathealthandsafetyinformationsubmittedunder
TSCAismadepubliclyavailable.51
IV. There Is Insufficient InformationAvailable toPermitaReasonedEvaluationof the
HealthandEnvironmentalEffectsofE&PChemicals.
In the absence of a federal rulemaking requiring disclosure of the identities of E&P
Chemicalsand informationabout thechemicalshealthandenvironmental impacts, scientific
organizations and state agencies, including TEDX and the New York State Department of
EnvironmentalConservation
(NYSDEC),
have
undertaken
efforts
to
evaluate
the
health
risks
posedbyE&PChemicals. TworeportspublishedbyTEDXandNYSDEC,respectively,analyze
thehealtheffectsofallchemicalsubstancesforwhichTEDXandNYSDECcouldlocateaCAS
number.52 Thesereportsdonotanalyzeanyhealtheffectsrelatedtochemicalmixtures,inlarge
partbecausemanufacturersandprocessorsrarelydisclosethecompletechemicalcomposition
of theirproducts.53 Read together, these reportsdemonstrate that the information currently
49SeeTelephoneConversationbetweenMeganKlein,AssociateAttorney,Earthjustice,andGaryStrong,ProjectGeologist,WyomingOilandGasConservationCommission(Mar.21.2011).Mr.Strongstated
that,to
his
knowledge,
91
trade
secret
claims
had
been
made
since
the
regulations
became
effective
on
August17,2010,buthenotedthatthisnumbercouldincludeduplicateclaimsorclaimsmadefor
chemicalsneveractuallyusedatthewellsites. Id.Wyomingsregulationsprovidethatconfidentiality
protectionshallbeprovidedfortradesecrets,andprivilegedandconfidentialinformationwhenthe
partyseekingtowithholddisclosureprovideswrittendocumentationofthenatureandextentofthe
proprietaryinformation.Wy.CodeR.OilGen.Ch.345(f).50SeeTelephoneConversationbetweenKleinandStrong,supranote49.51See15U.S.C.2613(a)(providingstatutoryauthorityunderwhichthechemicalindustry,orEPAafter
obtainingtheinformationfromthechemicalindustry,maywithholdcertaininformationasconfidential
businessinformation(CBI)),id.2613(b)(indicatingthat,outsideoflimitedcircumstances,information
disclosedaspartofhealthandsafetydatamaynotbewithheldasCBI);75Fed.Reg.29,754,29,754(May
27,2010)(announcingthatEPAwillbeginreviewingCBIclaimsforhealthandsafetydatatoensureall
CBIclaimsforchemicalidentitiesaresupportableunderTSCA);seealsoid.at29,755(indicatingthatitsreviewofCBIclaimswillmakemorehealthandsafetyinformationavailabletothepublicandsupport
animportantmissionoftheAgencytopromotepublicunderstandingofthepotentialrisksposedby
chemicalsubstancesincommerce).52SeeDSGEIS,supranote3,at525(identifying260chemicalsubstances);cf.TEDX,HealthEffects
SummaryStatement,supranote11,at3(identifying649chemicalsubstances).53SeeTEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,supranote11,at1.
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availableisinsufficienttoidentifythefullspectrumofE&PChemicalsortopermitareasoned
evaluationoftheirhealthandenvironmentaleffects.
A. TEDXReportIn an attempt todetermine the identityofE&PChemicalsand to evaluate thehealth
effects associatedwith them, TEDX gathered information frommultiple sources, including
MSDSs,stateTierIIreports,EnvironmentalImpactStatementandEnvironmentalAssessment
disclosures,rulemakingdocuments,andaccidentandspillreports.54 TEDXsreviewspanned
severalyearsandrequiredTEDXtomatchthechemicalsubstancesthatcouldbeidentifiedby
CASnumberwithavailablehealthdata. Afterperforming thisextensiveand laborintensive
review,TEDX concluded that healthdatawas available for only a small percentage of the
chemicalsinuseinthegasindustry.55
Usingtheavailableinformation,TEDXwasabletoformalistof980productscontaining
649chemical
substances.
56It
was
not
possible
reliably
to
determine
the
health
effects
of
almost
halfofthesubstancesidentifiedbecauseTEDXcouldnotlocateCASnumbersforthem.57 The
remainingsubstances thatcouldbe identifiedbyCASnumberwereassociatedwithmultiple
health effects, including effects on human sensory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous,
immune,cardiovascular,andendocrinesystems. Specifically,over78percentofthesubstances
thatcouldbeidentifiedbyCASnumberwereassociatedwithseriousshorttermhealtheffects
such as burning eyes, rashes, coughs, sore throats, asthmalike effects, nausea, vomiting,
headaches,dizziness,tremors,andconvulsions.58 Between22and47percentoftheidentifiable
substances also were associated with longerterm health effects, including cancer, organ
damage, and harm to the endocrine system.59 In addition, 48 percent of the identifiable
substanceshadotherhealtheffectsnotspecificallyclassifiedasshort or longterm,suchas
changes in weight, effects on teeth and bones, and death.60 Because the full chemical
composition of the vast majority of the products was not available, TDEX was not able
comprehensivelytoevaluatethehealtheffectsofthemixturesusedingasdevelopment.
54TEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,supranote11,at1.55Colborn,supranote42,manuscriptat12.56SeeTEDX,HealthEffectsSpreadsheet(2010),http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/files/
MultistateSpreadsheet32211States.xls.57SeeTEDX,HealthEffectsSummaryStatement,supranote11,at3(indicatingtheTEDXcouldnotlocate
CASnumbersfor44percentofthechemicalsidentified).58Id.59Id.60Id.
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B. NYSDECAnalysis
Inanattempt toanalyze thehealtheffectsof fracturingchemicals likely tobeusedat
well sites inNewYork State,NYSDEC collectedMSDSs and sought additional information
fromwellserviceprovidersandchemicalmanufacturers.61 From the information itobtained,
NYSDEC compiled a list of 260 chemical substances used within 197 fracturing products,
although full chemical composition information was available for only 152 products.62NYSDECs review of the identifiable chemical substances and mixtures demonstrated that
[c]ompoundspecific toxicitydataarevery limited formanychemicaladditives to fracturing
fluids.63 Lackingcompoundspecific toxicitydata,NYSDECgrouped thesubstancesby their
chemicalstructuresandthenmatchedeachgroupofsubstanceswithhealthrisksidentifiedby
theNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth.64 Listedbelowaresomeofthegroupsofchemical
substancesidentifiedintheDSGEISandtheadversehealtheffectsassociatedwiththosegroups:
BTEXcompounds(benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene,andxylene): damagetothenervoussystem,liver,kidneysandbloodcellformingtissues;
Petroleumdistillateproducts: adverseeffectsonthegastrointestinalsystemandcentralnervoussystem,skinirritation,blistering,andpeeling; Quarternary ammonium compounds, which can react with disinfectants used in
drinkingwatersystemstoformnitrosamines: geneticdamageandcancer;
Microbicides: respiratoryandgastrointestinaldamageaswellasdamagetothekidneys,liver,andnervoussystem;
Formaldehyde:irritationoftheskin,eyes,nose,andthroat,alongwithincreasedtearing;nasopharyngealandlymphohematopoieticcancer;65
Glycolethers: damagetomalereproductivesystemsandredbloodcellformation;and 1,4dioxane: eyeandnoseirritation,liverandkidneydamage,andlivercancer.
AlthoughNYSDECwas able to identify a range of adverse health impacts associatedwith
groupsoffracturingchemicals,NYSDECacknowledgedthatitsanalysisofthehealtheffectsof
fracturingchemicalswas incomplete,because itwasnotable to identifyhealthdata forevery
chemicalineachgroup.66
61DSGEIS,supranote3,at552to562. Inadditiontothe260chemicals,theproductsidentifiedalso
contained40compoundswhichrequirefurtherdisclosuresincemanyaremixtures. Id.at535.62Id.at535.63Id.at553.64Id.at552,563to566.65EPArecentlyreleasedadraftformaldehydeinhalationassessmentthatidentifiesformaldehydeasa
widelyrecognizedcarcinogen. EPA,IRISToxicologicalReviewofFormaldehydeInhalationAssessment
(ExternalReviewDraft),EPA/635/R10/002A,at4.1.2(2010).66SeeDSGEIS,supranote3,at561.
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T : 212 .791 .18 81 F : 212 .918 .155 6 E : n e o f f i c e @e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g W : w w w . e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g
V. E&P Chemicals May Present an Unreasonable Risk of Harm to Human Health,
TerrestrialandAquaticLife,andtheEnvironment.
Numerous incidents of exposure toE&PChemicalsdemonstrate thatE&PChemicals
maypresentanunreasonableriskofharmtohealthandtheenvironmentateverystageofoil
andgasdevelopment, including storage, transportation, treatment, anddisposal. Leaks andspillsofE&PChemicalshavebeenreportedfromWyomingtoPennsylvania.67 In2010alone,at
least34milliongallonsofcrudeoilandE&PChemicalswerespillednationwide.68 TheNew
MexicoOil andGasConservationDivisionhas identified close to 400 cases of groundwater
contamination fromoilandgaspitsstatewide.69 Datagatheredby theColoradoOilandGas
ConservationCommissionindicatedthatinthestateofColoradotherewere134spillsofoiland
gas products, including drillingmuds and fracturing fluids,between 2003 and 2008.70 The
PennsylvaniaLandTrustreviewedrecordsofviolationsbyservicecompaniesoperatinginthe
Marcellus ShalebetweenJanuary 2008 and August 2010, and found that therewere 1,056
violationslikelytohavecausedenvironmentalharm.71
E&P Chemicals frequently are found in drinking water supplies near oil and gas
development sites. Testingofdrinkingwaterwells inDimock,Pennsylvaniaa small town
withmorethan60gaswellsinaninesquaremilearea72revealedhighlevelsoftolueneand
ethylbenzene, which are carcinogenic chemicals believed to aid the fracturing process.73
ResidentsofSubletteCounty,Wyomingtestedtheirdrinkingwaterwellsandfoundfluoride
which is listed inHalliburtons hydraulic fracturingpatent applications and can causebone
damageathighlevelsatalmostthreetimesEPAsmaximumlimit.74 Apoorlylinedpitnear
67JadMouawad&CliffordKrauss,DarkSideofaNaturalGasBoom,N.Y.TIMES,Dec.7,2009,atB1,availableathttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/energyenvironment/08fracking.html.68ArmenKeteyian,OilandGasIndustrySpillsHappenAlltheTime,CBSNEWS,Apr.12,2011,http://www.cbsnews.com/830131727_1622005404210391695.html.69NewMexicoEnergy,Minerals,andNaturalResourcesDepartment,GroundwaterImpactUpdate
spreadsheet(2010),http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ocd/documents/GW_Impact_updTbl_000.xls.70Exhibit1toConsolidatedFinalPrehearingStatementoftheOilandGasAccountabilityProjectetal.,InreChangestoR.&Regs.ofOil&GasConservationCommnofColo.,No.0803RM02(2008),availableathttp://cogcc.state.co.us/RuleMaking/PartyStatus/FinalPrehearingStmts/OGAPExh1.pdf(indicatingthat
therewere134spillsofotherproducts,whichincludeddieselfuel,glycol,amine,lubricatingoil,
hydraulicfracturingfluids,drillingmuds,otherchemicals,andnaturalgasleaks).71PennsylvaniaLandTrustAssociation,MarcellusDrillersinPennsylvaniaAmass1,614ViolationsSince
20081,056IdentifiedasMostLikelytoHarmtheEnvironment(Oct.2010),
http://conserveland.org/violationsrpt(followlinktoDownloadReport).72See,e.g.,ChristopherBateman,AColossalFrackingMess,VANITYFAIR,June21,2010,availableathttp://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2010/06/frackinginpennsylvania201006.73MichaelRubinkam,Report:FrackingChemicalsinNEPa.WaterWells,ABCNEWS,Sept.16,2010,http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11653140&page=1.74AbrahmLustgarten&ProPublica,DrillforNaturalGas,PolluteWater,SCIENTIFICAMERICAN,Nov.17,2008,availableathttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=drillfornaturalgaspollutewater.
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T : 212 .791 .18 81 F : 212 .918 .155 6 E : n e o f f i c e @e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g W : w w w . e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g
Parachute,Colorado,leaked2,500barrelsofdrillingmudsintoatributaryofGardenGulch,and
samplesperformedonthereceivingwatersdemonstratedhighlevelsofbenzeneandacetone.75
In2009andagain in2010,EPA informed residentsofPavillion,Wyoming, thatanumberof
drinkingwaterwellsintheirareawerecontaminatedwith2butoxyethanol(2BE),achemical
used as a general solvent that is associatedwith health effects such as narcosis,pulmonary
edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.76 More recently, samples of oil and gaswastewaterdischarged intopublicdrinkingwater supplies in IndianaCounty,Pennsylvania,
revealed concentrations of 2BE at levels atmore than 55 times theminimum risk level for
intermediate exposureby children.77 In response to complaints of cloudy and foulsmelling
waterby residents livingneargaswells inHickory,Pennsylvania,EPAperformed testingof
drinkingwaterwellsandfoundacrylonitrile,achemicalthatHalliburtonhaslistedontwoU.S.
patents forE&PChemicals.78 Watersamplesalsohaveshowndramatic increases in levelsof
acrylonitrile,aswellasbenzeneand styrene, inwaterwells locatedneargasdevelopment in
WetzelCounty,WestVirginia.79 Justrecently,abreachofacontainmentareaatagaswell in
Canton,Pennsylvania,caused thousandsofgallonsofdrilling fluids to spill,crossover farm
fields,and
reach
anearby
stream.
80
In addition to threatening human health via drinking water contamination, E&P
Chemicalshaveprovenfataltoanimalsandaquaticlife. AgaininDimock,Pennsylvania,Cabot
OilandGasreportedspilling8,500gallonsoffracturingfluid,muchofwhichmadeitswayinto
75ColoradoOilandGasConservationCommission,March31,2008UpdateonGardenGulchReleases,at
slides1314(2008),http://oilgas.state.co.us/Library/PiceanceBasin/Garden_Gulch_Releases_0331
08_Update.pdf.76SeeFritzMayer,EPAInvestigates11PollutedWells,THERIVERREPORTER,Aug.20,2009,http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/09
08
20/news
wells.html
(indicating
EPAs
investigation
of
the
contamination);EPA,GlycolEthersHazardSummary(rev.2000),
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/glycolet.html#ref4(indicatingtheusesandassociatedhealth
hazardsof2BE);AbrahmLustgarten,FedsWarnResidentsNearWyomingGasDrillingSitesNottoDrinkTheirWater(Sept.1,2010),http://www.propublica.org/article/fedswarnresidentsnearwyominggasdrillingsitesnottodrinktheirwate(notingthatEPAwarnedPavillionresidentsnottodrinktheirwater
andtouseventilationwhilebathing).77SeeConradD.Volzetal.,ContaminantCharacterizationofEffluentfromPennsylvaniaBrineTreatmentInc.,JosephineFacilityBeingReleasedintoBlacklickCreek,IndianaCounty,Pennsylvania,Mar.25,2011,at1011,http://ia600608.us.archive.org/6/items/ContaminantCharacterizationOfEffluentFromPennsylvaniaBrineTr
eatment/Josephine_V2_CHEC_2011.pdf.78ChristieCampbell,WaterProblemGetsCloserLookfromDEP,EPA,OBSERVERREPORTER(Washington,PA),Mar.26,2010,atB1.79IsaacWolf,RuralResidentsSayNaturalGasDrillingHasTaintedTheirDrinkingWater,METROWESTDAILYNEWS,Nov.23,2010,http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/lifestyle/health/x1485353677/Ruralresidents
saynaturalgasdrillinghastaintedtheirdrinkingwater.80AssociatedPress,DrillerTemporarilyStopsOperationsatPa.Wells,SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE,Apr.21,2011,http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/apr/21/drillertemporarilystopsoperationsatpa
wells.
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T : 212 .791 .18 81 F : 212 .918 .155 6 E : n e o f f i c e @e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g W : w w w . e a r t h j u s t i c e . o r g
Stevens Creek and killed fish and other aquatic life.81 In May 2010, the Pennsylvania
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)finedadrillingcompany$141,175forleaking
250barrels of dilutedwastewater into a stream inWashington County, Pennsylvania, and
therebykilling small fish, salamanders,and frogs.82 A farmer livingwithin200yardsofgas
wells in Grandview, Texas, witnessed six of his animals die after his water well became
contaminatedwithatleastoneoftheBTEXcompounds.83 Thedrillingcompanydeniedthatitsdrilling operations had any relation to thewater contamination, even though several other
familieslivingwithin200feetofthewellsreportedidenticalinstancesofwatercontamination.84
InSpringRidge,Louisiana,seventeencowsdiedafteringestingfracturingfluidthatspilledinto
theirpasturefromanearbygaswelloperatedbyChesapeakeEnergy.85
Leaks and spills of E&P Chemicals endanger air quality as well as water supplies,
sometimes evenbefore the chemicalshave a chance to reach thewell sites. InJune 2006, a
chemicalplant inFarmington,NewMexico operatedbyHalliburtonEnergy Services spilled
approximately3060gallonsofahydraulicfracturingproductcalledAcidizingComposition.86
Thespill
created
alarge
cloud
of
acid
vapors,
which
caused
vomiting
and
nausea
in
the
people
livingneartheplantandpromptedtheevacuationofmorethan220peoplefromtheirhomes.87
DespitetheimmediatehealtheffectsresultingfromacuteexposuretoAcidizingComposition,
itsMSDS indicatesnotdetermined forall toxicity tests, including those for carcinogenicity
and reproductive/developmental toxicity.88 In addition to adversehealth impacts causedby
acute exposures, people also have reported injuries from prolonged exposure to E&P
Chemicals. For example, a resident ofArlington, Texas, reported poor air quality and an
increaseinhealthproblemsimmediatelyfollowingthecommencementofdrillingoperationsby
81SteveMcConnell,FracturingFluidsSpillintoSusquehannaCountyStream,WAYNEINDEPENDENT,Sept.17,2009,
http://www.wayneindependent.com/archive/x576510049/Fracturing
fluids
spill
into
Susquehanna
Countystream;AbrahmLustgarten,FrackFluidSpillinDimockContaminatesStream,KillingFish,ProPublica,Sept.21,2009,http://www.propublica.org/article/frackfluidspillindimockcontaminates
streamkillingfish921.82PressRelease,PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,DEPPenalizesRangeResources
$141,175forSpillinHighQualityWaterway(May14,2010),
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=11412&typeid=1.83PeterGorman,WaterFoul,FORTHWORTHWEEKLY,Apr.30,2008,http://archive.fwweekly.com/content.asp?article=6885.84Seeid.85VickieWellborn,Chesapeake,SchlumbergerFined$22,000EachinCowsDeaths,SHREVEPORTTIMES,Mar.25,2010,http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100325/NEWS01/100325018/Chesapeake
Schlumbergerfined22000eachincowsdeaths.86HalliburtonSpillResultsinAcidCloud,MoreThan220PeopleEvacuatedtoMall,THEDAILYTIMES,FARMINGTON,NEWMEXICO,June7,2006,availableathttp://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/11832.87Seeid.88Halliburton,MaterialSafetyDataSheet,ProductTradeName:FE1AAcidizingComposition,1,4(Dec.
2006),availableathttp://newyork.sierraclub.org/fingerlakes/gasinfo.html(followlinktoproductnameunderheadingMSDSDataSheets).
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CarrizoOilandGasnearherhome.89 AlthoughCarrizodeniedanyresponsibility,theresident
received test results confirming the presence of ethylbenzene, xylene, hexane, and
methylpentanes in herbloodstream, and her doctor issued an opinion that her inability to
recover from her ongoing health problemswas related to her continual exposure to diesel
fumesandE&PChemicalsusedattheCarrizowells.90
E&P Chemicals can degrade soil and air quality in ways that may not be readily
ascertainabletothepublic. InAugust2006,abreachinsurfacecasingatagaswellinCrosby,
Wyoming, caused several releases of drilling muds, contaminating soil over an area of
approximately25,000squarefeet.91 Althoughnoimmediateimpactswerereported,ananalysis
oftheleakedchemicalsindicatedthat50percentofthemmaycauseecologicaleffects(harmto
aquatic species,birds, amphibians, or invertebrates), and 32 percent of themwere volatile,
potentially causing injury to human respiratory systems, skin, sensory organs, and
gastrointestinalsystems.92 Inaddition,whileanalysisofE&PChemicalseffectsonairquality
are limited,researcherspredict thatemissions fromMarcellusShalegaswastewaterstored in
centralizedimpoundments
have
the
potential
to
cause
exceedances
of
the
annual
guidelines
for
acrylamide, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and heavy naphtha.93 When exposed to the air,
BTEX compounds incorporated intoE&PChemicalshave thepotential tomixwithnitrogen
oxidesfromtheexhaustofdieselfueledequipmentatthewellsitesandproducegroundlevel
ozone.94 Chemical exposures at and aroundwell sites are exacerbatedby certain common
89JasonJoyce,PyrrhicPollutionFinding,FORTWORTHWEEKLY,Oct.13,2010,http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4265:pyrrhicpollution
finding&catid=76:metropolis&Itemid=377.
90Id.(includingastatementbyDr.AlfredJohnsonthatitismymedicalopinionthat[Sandra
DenBrabers]currentillnessandinabilitytorecoverisrelatedtoherconstantandcontinualexposureto
dieselexhaustfumesandotherchemicalsassociatedwiththeoilandgasdrilling/fractionatingand
compressorstation).91TEDX,AnalysisofProductsUsedforDrillingCrosby253WellWindsorEnergy,ParkCounty,
Wyoming,1(2009),http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/files/Crosby253wellsummary42009Final.pdf.92Seeid.at34.93SeeSusanHarvey,ReviewofDSGEISandIdentificationofBestTechnologyandBestPractice
Recommendations3133(Dec.29,2009),submittedasAttachmentCtoMemorandumbyPhilipSears,
ARKF,toKateSindingetal.,regardingcommentsontheDraftSupplementalGenericEnvironmental
ImpactStatementontheOil,Gas,andSolutionMiningRegulatoryProgram(Dec.30,2009)(onfilewith
author).94Colborn,supranote42,manuscriptat5(statingthatozonehasarangeofserioushealthand
environmentaleffects,includingvariouslungdiseasesaswellasdamagetoconifers,aspen,forage,
alfalfa,andothercrops);seealsoMeadGruver,GasDrillingBlamedforSoaringOzoneinWyoming,THETIMESTRIBUNE,Mar.9,2011,http://thetimestribune.com/news/healthscience/gasdrillingblamedfor
soaringozoneinwyoming1.1116178(reportingthatozonelevelsdetectedneargasdrillinginwestern
WyomingweretwothirdshigherthanEPAsmaximumhealthylimit).
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practices,suchasair andfoamlubricateddrillingandtheuseofimpoundmentsforflowback
fluids.95
The health risks posedby E&PChemicals havebeenmost severe in cases involving
directhuman contact. InApril 2008, an emergency roomnurse inDurango,Colorado,was
admittedtotheintensivecareunitaftertreatingagasindustryemployeewhowascaughtinafracturing fluidspilland tracked thechemicalZetaFlow into thehospitalonhisboots.96 The
nursepresentedsymptomsofyellowskin,vomiting,aswollenliver,erraticbloodcounts,and
lungs filledwith fluid andwasdiagnosedwith chemicalpoisoning. Todetermine theexact
nature of her chemical poisoning, the doctors looked at the MSDS for ZetaFlow, which
indicated thatZetaFlow containedmethanol and twoundisclosedproprietary compounds.
Whenthehospitalrequestedtheidentityoftheproprietarycompoundstoaidtreatmentofthe
nurse, Weatherford, ZetaFlows manufacturer, refused to disclose the information.
Weatherfordcontinuestodenyresponsibilityforthenursesillness,yetitsuspendeditsuseof
ZetaFlowfollowingtheincident.97
Finally,arecentreportevaluatinggasdevelopmentintheMarcellusShaledemonstrates
thatE&PChemicalsthreatenthepeoplemostvulnerabletoinjuryfromexposuretohazardous
chemicals, such as children inday care facilities and schools andpeoplehospitalizeddue to
severe illness.98 Children inparticular face increased risk of harmdue to exposure to toxic
pollutantsasaresultoftheirvulnerableimmunesystemsandtheirlimitedabilitytodetoxify.99
HundredsofwellsitesinPennsylvaniaaresituatedwithinoneortwomilesofplacesdesigned
to care for children and sick people, including 320 day care facilities, 67 schools, and nine
hospitals.100 Inaddition,at those samewellsites, thePennsylvaniaDEPreportedalmost300
violationsofregulationsintendedtoprotectwaterqualityandtheenvironment.101
TheinstancesofharmandreportsofpotentialharmcitedabovedemonstratethatE&P
Chemicalsmaypresent anunreasonable risk of harm to children and adults, terrestrial and
aquatic life,water and air quality, and soil composition. With oil and gas exploration and
production poised to grow exponentially, incidents of harm linked to it also are likely to
95SeeBishop,supranote3,at2.96JimMoscou,AToxicSpew?OfficialsWorryAboutImpactofFrackingofOilandGas,Newsweek,Aug.20,2008,http://www.newsweek.com/id/154394.97Id.98SeeMadsen,supranote5,at3035;seealsoEPA,EnvironmentalAssessment,ChildrensHealth,http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/CFM/nceaQFind.cfm?keyword=Childrens%20Health(lastvisitedAug.2,2011)
(recognizingthatchildrenandtheelderlyaremoresusceptiblethanhealthyadultstohealthrisksposed
bypollutantsintheenvironment).99Madsen,supranote5,at3031.100Id.at30.101Id.at34.
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increase,especially ifEPA fails topromulgate regulations requiringdisclosureand testingof
E&PChemicalsandreportingofrelatedhealthandenvironmentaleffects.
VI. RequestforRelief
PetitionersherebyrequestthatEPAtakethefollowingactionspursuanttoTSCAsection21,15U.S.C.section2620:
1. Adopt a rule pursuant to TSCA section 4 to require manufacturers andprocessors of E&P Chemicals to develop test data sufficient to evaluate the
toxicityandpotentialforhealthandenvironmentalimpactsofallsubstancesand
mixtures that they manufacture and process. This rule must include a
requirement for the manufacturer or processor to identify any substance or
mixtureforwhichtestingisrequired.
2. Adopt a rule pursuant to TSCA section 8(a) requiring manufacturers andprocessors
of
E&P
Chemicals
to
maintain
records
and
submit
reports
to
EPA
disclosing the identities, categories, and quantities of E&P Chemicals,
descriptionsofbyproductsofE&PChemicals,all existingdataonpotentialor
demonstrated environmental and health effects of E&P Chemicals, and the
numberofindividualspotentiallyexposedtoE&PChemicals.
3. Call in all records of allegations of significant adverse reactions received andmaintainedbymanufacturers, processors, and distributors of E&P Chemicals
pursuanttoTSCAsection8(c)and40C.F.R.section717.
4. AdoptarulepursuanttoTSCAsection8(d)torequiresubmittalofallexisting,notpreviously reportedhealth and safety studies related to thehealth and/or
environmentaleffectsofE&PChemicals.
A. Section4Testing
EPA and the public lack adequate data and experience uponwhich the health and
environmental risks posed by E&P Chemicals can reasonably be determined or predicted.
Petitioners request that EPA adopt a rule pursuant to TSCA section 4, requiring that
manufacturers and processors of E&PChemicals conduct acute and chronic toxicity studies
sufficient to characterize and evaluate the hazards and potential health and environmental
effectsassociatedwiththesubstancesandmixturestheymanufactureandprocessforuseinoil
andgasexplorationandproduction. ATSCAsection4rulemayrequiretestingof(1)effectson
human respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, reproductive, gastrointestinal, endocrine,sensory,and immunesystems, includingcancerousanddevelopmentaleffects;and (2)effects
on terrestrial and aquatic life andwater, soil, and air quality.102 A rule adoptedunder this
sectionmust function toensure thatEPAand thepubliccan fullyevaluate thehazardsofall
102See15U.S.C.2603(b)(2)(A)
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substancesandmixturesusedinoilandgasexplorationandproductionandtherebydetermine
whetherthosesubstancesandmixturesmayposeanunreasonableriskofharmtohealthand
the environment. In addition, this rule must require the identification of each chemical
substanceormixtureforwhichtestingisperformed.103
EPA has ample and sufficient basis to issue a TSCA section 4 test rule. First, asillustrated indetail in sectionVabove,E&PChemicalsmeet the requirements in section4(a)
that themanufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use, or disposal of a chemical
substanceormixture,orthatanycombinationofsuchactivities,maypresentanunreasonable
risk of injury to health or the environment.104 Second, the significant volume of E&P
Chemicalsnecessary tofractureasinglewell,combinedwith thenumberofwellsanticipated
throughout theUnitedStates,demonstratethatE&PChemicalsalsomeet therequirementsof
section4(b) foranexposure finding,underwhichEPAshallbyrule require that testingbe
conducted on a chemical substance ormixture that is or willbe produced in substantial
quantities.105
B. Section8(a)Reporting
Petitioners request that EPA adopt a rule pursuant to TSCA section 8(a) to require
manufacturersandprocessorsofE&PChemicalstomaintaincertainrecordsandsubmittoEPA
reportson those records. Specifically, insofarasknown to thepersonmaking the reportsor
insofarasreasonablyascertainabletothatperson,aruleissuedpursuanttoTSCAsection8(a)
concerningthechemicalsubstancesandmixturesusedinoilandgasexplorationorproduction
shouldrequiremaintenanceofrecordsandreportingwithrespecttothefollowinginformation:
1. Thecommonortradename,thechemicalidentity,andthemolecularstructureofeachchemicalsubstanceormixtureforwhichsuchareportisrequired;
2. Thecategoriesorproposedcategoriesofuseofeachsubstanceormixture;3. The total amount of each substance or mixture manufactured or processed,
reasonableestimatesof the totalamount tobemanufacturedorprocessed, the
amount manufactured or processed for each of its categories of use, and
reasonableestimatesoftheamounttobemanufacturedorprocessedforeachof
itscategoriesofuseorproposedcategoriesofuse;
4. Adescriptionofthebyproductsresultingfromthemanufacture,processing,use,ordisposalofeachsuchsubstanceormixture;
5. All existing data concerning the environmental and health effects of suchsubstanceormixture;
103Seeid.2603(b)(1)(A).104Id.2603(a)(1)(A)(i).105Id.2603(a)(1)(B)(i).
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6. The number of individuals exposed, and reasonable estimates of the numberwhowillbeexposedtosuchsubstanceormixtureintheirplacesofemployment,
includingthedurationofsuchexposures;and
7. Themannerormethodofdisposalofanysuchsubstanceormixture.SubmissionofthisinformationisnecessaryfortheeffectiveenforcementofTSCA. InissuingaruleunderTSCA section8(a),EPA shouldconsider theneed torequireperiodic reportingas
needed to account for all new substances and mixtures as well as for significant new
informationobtainedbymanufacturersandprocessorswithrespecttoexistingsubstancesand
mixtures.
C. Section8(c)CallIn
Under TSCA section 8(c) and 40 C.F.R. section 717.12, chemical manufacturers,
processors, and distributors must record and maintain all significant adverse reactions to
humanhealth
or
to
the
environment
that
are
reported
to
or
known
by
them
and
that
are
alleged
to havebeen causedby chemical substances ormixtures that theymanufacture,process, or
distribute. Asignificantadversereactionisonethatmayindicateasubstantialimpairmentof
normal activities or longlasting or irreversible damage to health or the environment.106
Petitioners request thatEPAexercise itsauthorityunder40C.F.R. section717.17and request
submissionofcopiesofanyinformationrelatedtosignificantadversereactionstohumanhealth
ortheenvironmentallegedtohavebeencausedbyE&PChemicalsmanufactured,processed,or
distributedbythefollowingcompanies:
1. BakerHughesd/b/aAquaNessChemicalandBJServicesCompany1072. HalliburtonEnergyServices,Inc.1083. SchlumbergerTechnologyCorporation1094. RPC,Inc.d/b/aCuddEnergyServices5. SuperiorWellServices,Inc.110
10640C.F.R.717.3(i).107PetitionersareawarethatBakerHugheshasacquiredBJServicesCompany. Thisrequestencompasses
allrecordsmaintainedbyBJServicesCompanypriortotheacquisitionaswellasallrecordsmaintained
byBakerHughesfollowingtheacquisition.108EPAsrequestshouldmakeitclearthatthereportsfromHalliburtonEnergyServicesmustincludeall
allegationsthatithasreceivedrelatedtoitschemicalsubstancesandmixturesasmanufacturedby
HalliburtonEnergyServices(intheUnitedStatesandtheUnitedKingdom)andHalliburtonAustralia
Pty.Ltd.109EPAsrequestshouldmakeitclearthatthereportsfromSchlumbergerTechnologyCorporationmust
includeallallegationsithasreceivedrelatedtoitschemicalsubstancesandmixturesasmanufacturedby
SchlumbergerTechnologyCorporationintheUnitedStates,SchlumbergerCanada,Ltd.,and
SchlumbergerLtd.
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6. SanjelUSA7. WeatherfordInternationalLtd.1118. CalfracWellServices9. FracTechServices
Petitionersbelievethesecompaniesaretheprimarymanufacturers,processors,anddistributorsofE&PChemicalsintheUnitedStates. Becausearequestinvolvingnineentitieswouldnotbe
subjecttothePaperworkReductionActnoticerequirements,EPAcouldactquickly.112
D. Section8(d)SubmissionRequest
Petitioners request that EPA adopt a rule pursuant to TSCA section 8(d) to require
manufacturers,processors,anddistributorsofE&PChemicalstosubmittoEPAlistsandcopies
ofallexistinghealthandsafetystudiesconductedorinitiatedbyorforthem,knowntothem,or
reasonablyascertainablebythem. HealthandsafetystudiesaredefinedbroadlyunderEPAs
regulationsas
any
study
of
any
effect
of
achemical
substance
or
mixture
on
health
or
the
environment or both, including underlying data and epidemiological studies, studies of
occupationalexposuretoachemicalsubstanceormixture,toxicological,clinical,andecological
orother studiesofachemical substanceormixture,andany testperformedunderTSCA.113
Petitionersrequestthatthisrulemakingencompassallhealthandsafetystudiesrelatedtoany
substance ormixtureused in oil and gas exploration orproduction, including, as called for
under 40 C.F.R. section 716.3, the identity of the chemical substances and mixtures.114
SubmissionofhealthandsafetystudiesrelatedtoallE&PChemicalsisnecessarytoensurethat
substances and mixtures do not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
110PetitionersareawarethatNaborsIndustriesLtd.recentlyacquiredSuperiorWellServices,Inc. This
requestencompassesallrecordsmaintainedbySuperiorWellServices,Inc.priortotheacquisitionas
wellasallrecordsmaintainedbySuperiorWellServices,Inc.andNaborsIndustriesLtd.followingthe
acquisition.111EPAsrequestshouldmakeitclearthatthereportsfromWeatherfordInternationalLtd.mustinclude
all allegations that it has received related chemical substances and mixtures manufactured by its
subsidiary,ClearwaterInternational,LLC.112See44U.S.C.3502(3)(A)(i)(definingacollectionofinformationsubjecttoregulationunderthePaperworkReductionActasarequestimposedontenormorepersons).11340C.F.R.716.3114Seeid.(Itisintendedthatthetermhealthandsafetystudybeinterpretedbroadly.Notonlyisinformationwhicharisesasaresultofaformal,disciplinedstudyincluded,butotherinformation
relatingtotheeffectsofachemicalsubstanceormixtureonhealthortheenvironmentisalsoincluded.
Anydatathatbearontheeffectsofachemicalsubstanceonhealthortheenvironmentwouldbe
included. Chemicalidentityispartof,orunderlyingdatato,ahealthandsafetystudy.)
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VIt. ConclusionIn the absence of rulemakings pusuant to TSCA sections 4 and 8, EPA and the publiclack the information necessary to assess the potential health and environmental effects of E&PChemicals. To hold manufacturers, processors, and distributors of E&P Chemicals accountable
for the consequences of placing their products into commelce, Petitioners respectfully requestthat EPA initiate rulemakings under TSCA sections 4 and 8.Respectfully submitted,
4/.e
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MaureenDill
Facilitator
AdvocatesforMorris
Morris,NewYork
HarryLevine
President
AdvocatesforSpringfield
Springfield,NewYork
MatthewS.Tejada,PhDExecutiveDirector
AirAllianceHouston
Houston,Texas
DavidMorycSeniorDirectorofRiverProtection
AmericanRivers
Washington,DC
MononaRossol
IndustrialHygienist
Arts,Crafts&TheaterSafety,Inc.
NewYork,NewYork
PhilipS.Wallis
ExecutiveDirector
AudubonPennsylvania
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
JeanetteVosburg
President
BallonaNetwork
LosAngeles,California
JeanneRizzo
PresidentandCEO
BreastCancerFund
SanFrancisco,California
CherylJohncox
ExecutiveDirector
BuckeyeForestCouncil
Columbus,Ohio
ThomasB.Wilinsky
CatskillCitizensforSafeEnergy
FremontCenter,NewYork
WesGillingham
ProgramDirector
CatskillMountainkeeper
Youngsville,NewYork
RebeccaNoblin
AlaskaDirector
CenterforBiologicalDiversity
Anchorage,Alaska
RachelMeeropol
StaffAttorney
CenterforConstitutionalRights
NewYork,NewYork
CarolineCox
ResearchDirector
CenterforEnvironmentalHealth
Oakland,California
LoisMarieGibbs,PhD
ExecutiveDirectorCenterforHealth,Environment&Justice
FallsChurch,Virginia
GarySimpson
PresidentChathamCitizensforEffectiveCommunities,
Inc.(CCEC)
Pittsboro,NorthCarolina
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EllenRendulich
Director
CitizensAgainstRuiningtheEnvironment
Lockport,Illinois
SarahEckel
Legislative&PolicyDirector
CitizensCampaignfortheEnvironment
Syracuse,NewYork
BarbaraJ.WarrenExecutiveDirector
Citizens EnvironmentalCoalition
Albany,NewYork
VeraScrogginsCitizensforCleanWater
Brackney,Pennsylvania
DebThomas
Organizer
ClarkResourceCouncil
Clark,Wyoming
JosephO.Minott,Esq.
ExecutiveDirector
CleanAirCouncil
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
AnnBrewster
Weeks
LegalDirector
CleanAirTaskForce
Boston,Massachusetts
LynnThorp
NationalCampaignsCoordinator
CleanWaterAction
Washington,DC
HopeTaylor,MSPH
ExecutiveDirector
CleanWaterForNorthCarolina
Durham,NorthCarolina
ElizabethWheeler
StaffAttorney
CleanWisconsin
Madison,Wisconsin
ElyseKunz
CoFounder
CommunityAdvocatesforSafeEmissions,Inc.
Ravena,NewYork
MichaelAshkin
AssociateProfessorofEconomicsandPublic
Policy
CorporateToxicsInformationProject,
UniversityofMassachusettsAmherst
Amherst,Massachusetts
BernardHandler
Spokesperson
DamascusWatch
Damascus,Pennsylvania
TracyCarluccio
DeputyDirector
DelawareRiverkeeperNetwork
Bristol,Pennsylvania
StephenM.Brittle
President
DontWasteArizona
Phoenix,Arizona
JimSchermbeck
Director
DownwindersatRisk
DallasFt.Worth,Texas
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MargaretMcCasland
Convenor
EarthcareCommittee,IthacaMonthly
Meeting,ReligiousSocietyofFriends
(Quakers)
Ithaca,NewYork
JenniferKrill
ExecutiveDirector
Earthworks
Washington,DC
JudyBraiman
President
EmpireStateConsumerProject
Rochester,NewYork
BrianSegee
StaffAttorney
EnvironmentalDefenseCenter
SantaBarbara,California
RichardA.Denison
SeniorScientist
EnvironmentalDefenseFund
Washington,DC
ElsieRhodes
Pastor
FirstPresbyterianChurch
Cooperstown,New
York
EllenZ.Harrison
Director
Fleased
Ithaca,NewYork
JoyceTarnow
President
FloridiansforaSustainablePopulation,Inc.
CrossCity,Florida
JulieHuntsman
Spokesperson
FlyCreek/OtsegoNeighbors
FlyCreek,NewYork
BarbaraJarmoska
President
Freshlife,Inc.
Williamsport,Pennsylvania
KathleenG.Hundley,M.Ed.
President
FriendsoftheRockyRiver(FORR)
ChathamCounty,NorthCarolina
SheilaCohen
OutreachChair
GasDrillingAwarenessforCortlandCounty
(GDACC)
Cortland County,NewYork
RobertaFramptonBenefiel
VicePresident
GrandRiverkeeperLabrador,Inc.
HappyValleyGooseBay,Canada
StephenAshkin
ExecutiveDirector
GreenCleaningNetwork
Bloomington,Indiana
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VickieHennessy
President
GreenEnvironmentalCoalition(GEC)
YellowSprings,Ohio
ElaineChiosso,HawRiverkeeper
HawRiverAssembly
Bynum,NorthCarolina
RachelLincolnSarnoffInterimExecutiveDirector/CEO
HealthyChildHealthyWorld
LosAngeles,California
DebraHallFounder
HopewellJunctionCitizensforCleanWater
HopewellJunction,NewYork
BrianSauder
PolicyCoordinator
IllinoisInterfaithPowerandLight
Champaign,Illinois
JamesR.Nelson,MS
ExecutiveDirector
IllinoisPublicHealthAssociation
Springfield,Illinois
StanKotala,
M.D.
ConservationChair
JuniataValleyAudubon
Hollidaysburg,Pennsylvania
BetseySwan
President
LeagueofWomenVotersofNewYorkState
Albany,NewYork
OliviaThorne
President
LeagueofWomenVotersofPennsylvania
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
JudyDuffy
AdvocacyChair
LeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStates
Washington,DC
JerryRenning
Chairman
MichiganCitizensAgainstToxicSubstances
(MCATS)
Milan,Michigan
DrewJ.Koslow
ChoptankRiverkeeper
MidshoreRiverkeeperConservancy
Easton,Maryland
KimberleeWright
ExecutiveDirector
MidwestEnvironmentalAdvocates
Madison,Wisconsin
ToddKostyack
VicePresident,WildlifeConservation
NationalWildlifeFederation
Washington,DC
DanielRosenbergSeniorAttorney
NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil(NRDC)
NewYork,NewYork
GradieMcCalliePolicyDirector
NCConservationNetwork
Raleigh,NorthCarolina
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VanessaPesec
President
NetworkforOilandGasAccountabilityand
Protection(NEOGAP)
ConcordTownship,Ohio
RickEngler
Director
NewJerseyWorkEnvironmentalCouncil
Trenton,NewJersey
GavinKearney
DirectorofEnvironmentalJustice
NewYorkLawyersforthePublicInterest
NewYork,NewYork
MichaelLebron
Principal
NewYorkersforSustainableEnergySolutions
Statewide
NewYork,NewYork
RebeccaRoter
NorthernTierImpactedCitizensCoalition
(NTICC)
Kingsley,Pennsylvania
SeanMoulton
Director,FederalInformationPolicy
OMBWatch
Washington,DC
PatriceMcDermott
Director
Openthegovernment.org
Washington,DC
NicoleA.Dillingham
President,BoardofDirectors
Otsego2000,Inc.
Cooperstown,NewYork
JohnFenton
Chair
PavilionAreaConcernedCitizens
Pavilion,Wyoming
MariaPayan
Director
PeachBottomConcernedCitizensGroup
Delta,Pennsylvania
JanJarrett
President
PennFuture
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
PatriciaEakin
President
PennsylvaniaAssociationofStaffNursesand
AlliedProfessionals
Conshohocken,Pennsylvania
RonEvans
Chair
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalDefense
FoundationCampHill,Pennsylvania
RichardA.Martin
Coordinator
PennsylvaniaForestCoalition
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
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MelianMcKee
Director
PossibilitiesRetreat
Montoursville,Pennsylvania
JeffKelble
ShenandoahRiverkeeper
PotomacRiverkeeperInc.(DBAShenandoah
Riverkeeper)
Boyce,Virginia
KevinLind
Director
PowderRiverBasinResourceCouncil
Sheridan,Wyoming
TraciBarkley
WaterResourcesScientist
PrairieRiversNetwork
Champaign,Illinois
JeffRuch
ExecutiveDirector
PublicEmployeesforEnvironmental
Responsibility(PEER)
Washington,DC
BrianUrbaszewski
DirectorofEnvironmentalHealthPrograms
RespiratoryHealthAssociationof
MetropolitanChicago
Chicago,Illinois
RalphKisberg
President
ResponsibleDrillingAlliance
Williamsport,Pennsylvania
KateHudson
WatershedProgramDirector
Riverkeeper
Ossining,NewYork
AllegraSchecter
Founder
RoseboomOwnersAwarenessResponse
(ROAR)
Roseboom,NewYork
DanRandolph
ExecutiveDirector
SanJuanCitizensAlliance
Durango,Colorado
ChristineCanaly
Director
SanLuisValleyEcosystemCouncil
Alamosa,Colorado
RobertNied
CoDirector
SchoharieValleyWatch
Richmondville,NewYork
CharlesWinterwood,Chair,SierraClub
NationalToxicsCommittee
DeborahJ.Nardone,Director,NaturalGas
ReformCampaignSierraClub
SanFrancisco,California
GopaRoss
OilandGasCommitteeChair
SierraClubRockyMountainChapter
Denver,Colorado
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PeterJ.Wray
Chair,ConservationCommittee
SierraClub,AlleghenyGroup
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania
RoderickJude
Chair
SierraClub,MontanaChapter
Missoula,Montana
JeffTittel
Director
SierraClub,NewJerseyChapter
Trenton,NewJersey
ThomasAu
ConservationChair
SierraClub,PennsylvaniaChapter
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
LizKirchofferPectol
PresidentandCEO
SouthernSustainableResources
Charleston,SouthCarolina
MichaelHelfrich
LowerSusquehannaRiverkeeper
GuyAlsentzer,Dir.StewardsoftheLower
Susquehanna
York,Pennsylvania
AdrianKuzminski
Moderator
SustainableOtsego
Cooperstown,NewYork
WilliamCallahan
FounderandOwner
TamalpaisNatureWorks
SanRafael,California
ReneeHoyos
ExecutiveDirector
TennesseeCleanWaterNetwork
Knoxville,Tennessee
JuanParras
ExecutiveDirector
TexasEnvironmentalJusticeAdvocacy
Services(T.E.J.A.S.)
Houston,Texas
DarleneSchanfald
TheOlympicEnvironmentalCouncil
Sequim,Washington
ThomasRyder,CWB
President
TheWildlifeSociety
Bethesda,Maryland
JohnL.Barone
VicePresidentofConservation
TheodoreGordonFlyfishers,Inc.
NewYork,NewYork
ElizabethG.Thomas
Chair
TompkinsCountyCouncilofGovernments
GasDrillingTaskForceTompkinsCounty,NewYork
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FawnPattison
ExecutiveDirector
ToxicFreeNorthCarolina
Raleigh,NorthCarolina
MononaRossol
SafetyOfficer
UnitedScenicArtists,LocalUSA82
InternationalAllianceofTheatricalStage
Employes(IATSE)
NewYork,NewYork
LarraineMcNulty
President
UpperUnadillaValleyAssociation
WestWinfield,NewYork
NicholasOcchipinti
PolicyandCommunityActivismDirector
WestMichiganEnvironmentalActionCouncil
GrandRapids,Michigan
SusanVanDolsen
CoOrganizer
WestchesterforChange
Harrison,New
York
GretchenNicholoff
President
WesternColoradoCongress
GrandJunction,
Colorado
JeremyNichols
Director,ClimateandEnergyProgram
WildEarthGuardians
SantaFe,NewMexico
SloanShoemaker
ExecutiveDirector
WildernessWorkshop
Carbondale,Colorado
RitaYelda
Organizer
WNYDrillingDefense
Buffalo,NewYork
ErinSwitalski
ExecutiveDirector
WomensVoicesfortheEarth
Missoula,Montana