[Update Dec. 2012: Study was withdrawn]

A scientifc study on legal and evironmental issues related to hydraulic fracturing will be reviewed by its publishing institution, the Energy Institute at The University of Texas. The reason is that it emerged only now that one of the lead investigators of the report, published in February 2012, is a board member of an energy company that is involveld in hydraulic fracutring operations. The report suggests that hydraulic fracturing, when practised properly, is safe and poses little risk to the environment.

An editorial in the journal Nature states that "this over-arching conclusion seems reasonable in view of what we know today, although scientists continue to sift through contradictory evidence. [...] But even if the review exonerates the panel and endorses its findings, it is unlikely to remove the taint of scandal." And it emphasises the need for full transparency: "The key is transparency, because that is the basis for trust between institutions and the wider public, which is especially important when people are buffeted by confusing, contradictory and inflammatory information. What the public needs, and what scientists must deliver, is reliable information that is honest about both its methods and its inevitable biases."