Over 100 environmental groups have signed a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Interior seeking a rulemaking that would address emissions of air pollutants from hydraulic fracturing operations. According to the groups, hydraulic fracturing emits methane, a greenhouse gas, as well as volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants that the petition alleges are threatening the health of those living near drilling operations. The petition states that the EPA has the power to regulate these emissions under the Clean Air Act and that the Department of the Interior could regulate emissions on public lands. However, the petition does not propose any specific methods, emission limitations or control technologies.

Samuel B Boxerman, Roger R Martella Jr, Joel F Visser or Jim Wedeking

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