I think the EPA is full of crap and it's just another hit on the oil, gas and coal industries.
The booming natural gas industry in Pennsylania is going to take a huge hit as a result of this development.
PA has huge natural gas reserve in the Marcellus Shale and just 2 years ago, the Marcellus Shale industrial boom began resulting in vey affordable natural gas for the Northeast. Thousands of jobs were created in the Quaker State.
Extracting gas from the shale in PA involves a technique called hydraulic fracturing in which crews pump millions of gallons of chemical-laced water and sand deep into the earth to splinter the dense shale and free the gas trapped inside.
Thousands of jobs are going to be affected by this development (not to even mention the effect on Natural Gas prices in this country).
Interesting uses from some of the chemicals the EPA does not like but are included in the fracking process (from the Halliburton site):
Shaving Gel, Facial Cleanser, Shampoo, Car Wash Detergent, Hand Cleaner, Laundry Cleaner, Cat Litter, Plumber’s Putty, Oil Stain Remover, Anti-caking (or sticking) agent for food , Fruit Juices and Nectars, Household Multipurpose Cleaner, Laboratory Hand Cleaner, Laundry Stain Remover, Antimicrobial Soap, Toothpaste, Lipstick, Herbal Supplements, Fruit Jelly, Beer and Malt Beverages, Mustard, Laundry Liquid Detergent, Dishwasher Detergent, Tape Head Cleaner, Hops Extract used for Beer, Air Freshener, Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, Some Baking Soda, Whey Products, Yogurt, Surface Cleaner, Car Wax, Salad Dressing, Frozen Fish Sticks, Infant Formula, Saline Eye Spray, Natural Skin Cleanser, Food Grade Salt, Aquarium Fish Medication, Ice Melting Product, Furniture Oil, Thickened Stripper for Grease, Paint, Ink, and Gum Removal, Commercial Bathroom Disinfectant Cleaner.