EPA’s Step Toward Mandating Disclosure of Chemicals Used for Fracking

On May 9, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on the “types of chemical information that could be reported and disclosed under the Toxic Substances Control Act and the approaches to obtaining this information for chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing activities.”

EPA also is requesting input on “incentives and recognition programs that could support the development and use of safer chemicals in hydraulic fracturing” – also known as fracking.

EPA anticipates that the notice, which will include the due date for public comments, will publish in the Federal Register by the week of May 19.  The comment period closes 90 days after publication in the Federal Register on August 17, 2014.