A panel of 31 experts
has been formed to review the US Environmental Protection Agency’s
hydraulic fracturing research, EPA’s independent Scientific Advisory
Board announced on Mar. 25.
It said the group will be asked to specifically seek input from
applied scientific practitioners to get fresh information on emerging
science and technology in what SAB considers a rapidly changing
industry.
The panel is comprised of 5 current employees of companies and
consulting firms; 2 government employees; and 21 academics and
university professors (including some previously employed in the oil and
gas industry), according to SAB.
It said the group would review a draft report that EPA expects to
complete in 2014 on any potential health and environmental impacts of
fracing on drinking water resources. It also will be asked to provide
scientific feedback on EPA’s research leading up to the peer review, the
SAB said.