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EPA’s Public Meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing Study toTake Place in Binghamton, New York

Release Date: 08/31/2010
Contact Information: John Senn, (212) 637-3667, [email protected]

New York, NY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected a new venue and dates for the public meeting on EPA’s upcoming hydraulic fracturing study originally scheduled for August 12, 2010. The meeting will now be held at the Broome County Forum Theater in Binghamton, New York, on September 13th and 15th, 2010.

Meeting Information:
EPA will hold four identical sessions during a two day session at the same location:

Date: Monday, September 13, 2010
Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton
Time:
• 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am)
• 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton
Time:
• 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am)
• 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

Transition from the Postponed August 12 Meeting
The four sessions scheduled for September 13 and 15, 2010 will be identical to those already convened in Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The agenda will match that of the meetings previously scheduled for August 12. As with all previous meetings, EPA will make a short presentation at the beginning of each session and registered speakers will then have the opportunity to provide verbal or written comments directly to EPA.

All individuals who pre-registered for the August 12 meetings will retain their registration for the September 13 and 15 meetings. Because the timing of the sessions has changed from a one-day event to a two-day event and EPA has added another meeting session, EPA needs pre-registered individuals to specify the session they would like to attend.

1. Pre-registered speakers for the August 12 session will be sent an e-mail from the Cadmus Group requesting they select one preferred session in which to provide verbal comment. The email notification will provide instructions on how to choose a session. Speakers who pre-registered using the telephone registration will be contacted by Cadmus by phone to confirm their preferred session.
2. Pre-registered attendees (those who opted not to give verbal comment) will be asked to indicate the session they would like to attend via the registration website. The registration website is located at http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com and will open beginning at 9:00 am on Friday, September 3, 2010.

EPA is expecting room-capacity crowds at the Binghamton meeting sessions. Pre-registering to attend the meetings will help EPA plan the meeting logistics and increase the likelihood that individuals will be able to attend their preferred sessions. Individuals may pre-register for the meetings online at http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com or by calling 1-866-477-3635 (toll free). Online and telephone registration will remain open through 5:00 pm, September 10, 2010. Those who are not pre-registered may still register to attend or provide verbal comment on the day of the meeting. Verbal comments from individuals registered on-site will be accommodated as time allows.

EPA encourages the public to submit written comments on the proposed study, and relevant information and data by e-mail at [email protected] through September 28, 2010. Please write “Hydraulic Fracturing Study – Comments” in the subject line of the message. Written comments may also be hand-delivered at the public meetings or sent to EPA at the following address:
Jill Dean
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Mailcode 4606M
Washington, DC 20460.

EPA looks forward to receiving more public input on the upcoming research study on the potential relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water.

For additional questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 1-866-477-3635. Meeting information may be found on the EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study website at http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/wells_hydroout.cfm.

Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP to [email protected] by 5:00 pm, September 10, 2010. There will be a separate media registration table at the venue. The Forum Theater will be equipped with a mult box and Internet access.