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The Start
Stanolind Oil introduced the first hydraulic fracturing wells in 1947. The wells were located in Grant County, Kansas. Modified gasoline and gel breaker were injected into wells at 2400 feet. There was no significant increase in production at this time. -
Industrializing Fracking
Halliburton becomes the first company to extensively use fracking as a way to extract natrual gas. The technology was limited in drilling pressure copmared to today's fracturing sites. -
Safe Drinking Water Act Passed
EPA bans the injection of most hazardous materials as a part of the SDWA in order to protect ground water. However the EPA also rules that hydraulic fracturing does not fall under this category, because its main purpose is to extract natural gas. -
LEAF Petitions
The Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation (LEAF) petitions the EPA to withdraw approval of Alabama's underground injection control (UIC) program. Leaf exposed the UIC as not regulating its fracturing activities and violating the SDWA. In 1995, the EPA denied the petition. -
George Mitchell: Fracking Pioneer
George Mitchell Successfully fractured a shale rock releason huge amounts of gas in Texas after many years of trying. He established the fracking techniques that include drilling straight down before drilling horizontal underground, using a high-pressure mix of chemical- and sand-laced water. Mitchell was backed by the Gas Technology Institute and the federal Energy Department. The knowledge of the environmental effects was not widespread then as it is today. -
Regulations Passed
The State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama puts in place new rules and regulations for hydraulic fracturing under the direction of the EPA. -
Continually Ignoring Environmental Issues
EPA reports say fracturing fluids are toxic and that some portion of the fluid may remain in the ground after each fracking job. However, the report concludes that this poses little to no threat to drinking supplies. -
Further Injustice
The US House of Representatives introduces the Fracking Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act to repeal fracking's futher exemption form the SDWA, Clean Air and Clean Water Acts in 2005. The act never came to a vote. -
Health and Environmental Investigations
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce launches an investigation int othe potential environmental and health impacts of fracking. -
The Congress Steps In
By request of the US Congress, the EPA issues a Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracktruing on Drinking Water Issues, to be compleated in 2014.
