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UM researchers studying hydraulic fracturing

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - University of Michigan researchers say they're conducting a detailed study of the potential environmental and societal effects of hydraulic fracturing in the state.

The Ann Arbor school announced Wednesday that its researchers are working with government regulators, oil and gas industry representatives and environmental groups.

They're looking at seven areas: human health, the environment and ecology, economics, technology, public perception, law and policy, and geology/hydrodynamics.

Detailed technical reports are to be released early next year for public comment.

The announcement comes the same day that Gov. Rick Snyder released an energy and environmental policy blueprint that calls for increasing production of natural gas in Michigan. It defends the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," to extract gas from deep underground.

Online:

http://www.graham.umich.edu/ia/hydraulic-fracturing.php

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