WASHINGTON, D.C. – An assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims hydraulic fracturing activities pose no threat to public drinking water.

On Thursday, the EPA released a draft assessment, which states fracking in the U.S. is carried out in a way that hasn’t led to widespread, systematic impacts on drinking water resources. The assessment followed the water used for hydraulic fracturing from the acquisition to treatment and disposal. The assessment was conducted at the request by Congress.

Thomas Burke, science advisor and deputy administrator of the EPA Office of Research and Development, said the assessment gives state regulators, industries and local communities a critical resource toward identifying the best way to protect public health.

“It is the most complete compilation of scientific data to date, including over 950 sources of information, published papers, numerous technical reports, information from stakeholders and peer-reviewed EPA scientific reports,” Burke said.

The EPA’s review of data sources found specific instances where well integrity and wastewater management related to fracking impacted drinking water resources.

However, the impacts were minimal compared to the large number of hydraulically fractured wells across the country.

States play a primary role in regulating most natural gas and oil development. The EPA’s authority is limited by statutory of regulatory exemptions under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, among others.

The Clean Water Act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the water. The Safe Drinking Act sets standards for drinking water quality.

Where exemptions exist, states may have authority to regulate unconventional oil and gas extraction activities under their own laws.

A fracking ban in New York state went into effect in December, citing health concerns and questionable benefits to the economy. The state Department of Health, last year, finalized a public health review of high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Howard Zucker, commissioner, recommended the activity to stop.

Recently, the state Department of Environmental Conservation released the final supplemental environmental impact statement, which stated significant uncertainties remain regarding the level of risk to public health and the environment. In response to the EPA’s assessment, the DEC said the state review examined a broader spectrum – examining impacts to air, water, public health, ecosystems, wildlife and community character.”

“Our review identified many potential significant adverse impacts,” the DEC stated. “As the EPA said, states are in the best position to make decisions regarding high-volume hydraulic fracturing. In December, the DOH report concluded that high-volume hydraulic fracturing should not move forward in New York state.”

Upon the release of the assessment, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-C-I-Corning, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reverse the unilateral and “politically motivated” decision to ban fracking.

“Hydraulic fracturing can be done safely, and the comprehensive science in this report once again validates this,” Reed said. “The New York state fracking ban costs us jobs, limits our nation’s path toward energy independence, which keeps production costs high for manufacturers, and even violates the constitutionally protected rights of our landowners.”

According to the DEC report, the ban is costing the state roughly 54,000 jobs, and many of which would be found in Western New York, Reed said.

The EPA study will be finalized after review by the Science Advisory Board and public review and comment.