Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is a dangerous drilling technique threatening water, air, wildlife and public health all over the United States. It's done by blasting millions of gallons of a chemical-water-sand mixture deep into the Earth to break up rock formations to harvest oil and gas.

In 2005, in a law known as the "Halliburton loophole," Congress exempted from the Safe Drinking Water Act all fracking chemicals except one: diesel fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency has just asked for public comment on how it should regulate the use of diesel fuel in fracking.

Evidence is mounting throughout the country that fracking chemicals are making their way into aquifers and drinking water, and diesel contains the toxic substances benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. Risking more chemical contamination of our drinking water is a no-go.

Take action to tell the EPA to ban fracking with diesel without delay.

SUBJECT: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2011-1013 - Diesel fracking guidance

Dear [Decision Maker],

I am writing to encourage the Environmental Protection Agency to prohibit the use of diesel in hydraulic fracturing. Our drinking-water supplies are too valuable to risk with diesel contamination.

Evidence is mounting across the country that fracking causes water contamination. It's time for the EPA to take strong steps to avoid future contamination from this dangerous drilling technique.

Please take all possible action to protect the public from the dangers of fracking, including but not limited to prohibiting diesel in hydraulic fracturing operations. This is a common-sense step supported by the Department of Energy's Subcommittee on Shale Gas Production.

I urge you to enact an immediate ban on hydraulic fracturing with diesel.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]