Board, M. N. (2017, January 06). Editorial: California must tighten fracking regulations.

Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/06/editorial-

california-must-tighten-fracking-regulations/

 

The EPA’s final report on fracking’s impact on water supplies reveals more danger than previously thought, but under the Trump administration, a tightening of restrictions on fracking is unlikely.  The report reassessed a previous statement refuting a systematic contamination of water supplies found by fracking, concluding that there is potential to pollute drinking water.  The report particularly warned against the use of groundwater for fracking in places where water supplies are low, much like California which has only just come out of severe drought.

 

Government must protect its citizens’ water sources.  Given how much of California’s economy is driven by agriculture, state government must protect its water at all costs.  Only just coming out of severe drought, California should be wary of the use of groundwater for fracking.  Since it is clear that the Trump administration will do nothing to protect California’s water sources, state legislation must work to place restrictions on fracking to ensure its citizens and industry will not be put at risk of losing their water.