Washington DC – Today, in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that it intends to regulate wastewater from natural gas production, Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) released the following statement:

“I am disappointed but not surprised by EPA’s announcement that it intends to regulate yet another aspect of American natural gas production.  The shale gas revolution is enabling greatly increased production of clean, affordable energy.  This production is critical to America’s economic growth, yet this Administration is intent on regulating it by any means possible.

“Most concerning about this announcement, however, is that EPA is once again putting its regulatory cart in front of the scientific horse.  The agency is in the process of undertaking a scientific study of hydraulic fracturing and drinking water that will include an examination of the effectiveness of current shale-gas related wastewater treatment and disposal methods.  While I have major concerns with the scope and balance of EPA’s proposed study, I am even more concerned that the agency has decided to pursue new regulations before performing the research and scientific analysis necessary to determine whether they are warranted.  This Administration continues to overreact, and decisions like this cry out for more rational policy making.”