EPA Issues Final “Guidance” Defining Diesel Fuel re Frack Fluid

| |

Ten days ago the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a “guidance” to define what is and is not diesel fuel for the purposes of deciding (on a case by case basis) whether or not a driller can use that substance in their fracking fluid. In 2005 Congress passed a law that says diesel fuel can only be used as a component in fracking fluid if specifically approved, on a case by case basis. Very few (if any) drillers use diesel fuel in their fracking fluid. These days, the race is on to see how green fracking fluid can be made (see Fracking Fluids/Technology Getting Greener Each Year). However, the EPA feels duty-bound (we’d call it zealous) to ensure everyone knows exactly what is, and is not, diesel fuel for the purposes of complying with the law. The guidance just released establishes those boundaries.

Below is the EPA announcement making what was previously a draft guidance a final guidance, along with a copy of the guidance itself…

Please Login to view this content. (Not a member? Join Today!)
You do not have permission to view the comments.