Media Advisory: Carnegie Mellon’s David A. Dzombak to Chair EPA Science Advisory Committee Reviewing Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing
April 2, 2010
Contact: Chriss Swaney
Carnegie Mellon University
412.268.5776
The process, called "hydraulic fracturing," involves injecting water and chemicals into wells under high pressure to break up the source rock to unlock oil and natural gas. Along with horizontal-drilling technology, it has transformed formerly uneconomical, low-productivity shale gas formations into highly productive ones. There are various concerns about potential environmental impacts, including possible contamination of groundwater and surface water resources.
Dzombak, the Walter J. Blenko Sr. Professor of Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon, said the committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the Office of Research Development's plan. The EPA research study that the Science Advisory Board Committee will review was requested by Congress in June 2009.
"The use of hydraulic fracturing technology is rapidly expanding in the U.S., and the EPA is moving rapidly to meet its charge to ensure that the technology is implemented in an environmentally responsible manner," said Dzombak, who serves as the chair of the standing Environmental Engineering Committee of the EPA Science Advisory Board.
When: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, and 8 a.m. – noon, Thursday, April 8
Where: St. Regis Hotel, 923 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006