Some congressional GOP lawmakers and state officials oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's coming proposal to regulate wastewater derived from shale-gas extraction. They fear the new rules could stifle a growing, jobs-producing industry. But EPA and environmental groups say federal effluent standards are needed to ensure the expanding shale-gas extraction business operates safely nationwide.
At issue is EPA's October announcement that it will issue a proposal in 2014, under its Clean Water Act authority, to regulate wastewater from shale-gas production and extraction. Such wastewater is not federally regulated now but is regulated by many states.