Comment on FR Doc # 2012-15557

The chemicals utililized in the process of "fracking" need to be revealed so that the EPA is able to make informed decisions regarding the protection of ground water in the communities in which the fracking process occurs. Without this information the EIS process becomes essentially useless and non-conclusive thereby exposing communities to potentially dire health risks. It is criminally irresponsible of the oil industry to continue withholding this vital information from the public under the guise of "proprietary information" which ludicrously equates to the FDA approving a new drug without knowing its chemical composition or purported side effects. The oil industry needs to be instructed to patent their "chemical stew" so that their product is protected, the EPA has the necessary information to make informed permitting decisions, and the health of communities are adequately protected.