WaterNews for January 6, 2004

Benjamin Grumbles
Acting Assistant Administrator
Office of Water

WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.

Inside this week’s WaterNews

• Grumbles Named Acting Assistant Administrator for Water
• Hydraulic Fracturing Agreement Signed with Major Companies
• Water Quality Trading Website - Updated
• Upcoming EPA Events
• Subscribe to WaterNews

Grumbles Named Acting Assistant Administrator for Water

EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt announced effective Dec. 29 Benjamin Grumbles is the Acting Assistant Administrator for Water. Ben served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator under Assistant Administrator G. Tracy Mehan III, as well as serving as the Acting Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations.

Leavitt said “I am confident that Ben’s solid background and Agency experience will enable him to handle the many demands of this position.”

G. Tracy Mehan III has been appointed as the Environmental Stewardship Counselor for the G8 Summit to be held in June in Sea Island and Savannah, Ga.

Hydraulic Fracturing Agreement Signed with Major Companies

EPA signed an agreement with three major companies that provide approximately 95 percent of the hydraulic fracturing services performed in the United States. These companies are: BJ Services Company, Halliburton Energy Services Inc., and Schlumberger Technology Corp. The agreement calls for the voluntary removal of diesel fuel from hydraulic fracturing fluids injected directly into formations which contain Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDWs) during hydraulic fracturing for coalbed methane production. Included in the agreement are assurances from the companies that fluids used to replace diesel fuel will not endanger USDWs. Upon signing, the companies have agreed to discontinue the use of diesel fuel in the hydraulic fracturing fluids they use in coalbed methane wells within 30 days to the extent they have not already done so. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is available at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic.html

Water Quality Trading Website - Updated

The Water Quality Trading website has been updated to include links from the states, frequently asked questions, and questions & answers on 2003 EPA policy, and presentations from the National Trading Forum. Visit the website at www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm for more information.

Upcoming EPA Events

National Drinking Water Week
EPA, States, and the water industry will observe National Drinking Water Week from May 2-8, 2004. National Drinking Water Week will include a kick-off of the 30th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act which was signed on Dec. 16, 1974.

National Clean Water Act Recognition
Announcement and presentation of EPA's Clean Water Act Awards to exemplary wastewater treatment facilities will be presented Oct. 4, in conjunction with the Water Environment Federation's annual WEFTEC event in New Orleans, LA.

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