A former U.S. EPA official says that while the agency's study of hydraulic fracturing will likely wind up in the Trump administration's "round file," it still has value for academic researchers.
"Where I think this goes is to academia," said Bernadette Rappold, formerly director of the Special Litigation and Projects Division in EPA's enforcement branch, in an interview. "I don't see any regulations coming out on the federal level."
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The report did not make any policy recommendation on drilling or fracturing. Rappold said the report's primary value will be for those continuing to look for ways to avoid problems and minimize dangers.
"They've laid the groundwork for future researchers to build on," said Rappold, now in private practice at Greenberg Traurig.
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