The Environmental Protection Agency has published a "bombshell" report identifying hydraulic fracturing as the likely cause of water pollution in central Wyoming. The report adds fuel to the growing controversy about "hydrofracking"-the process of gas drilling that involves injecting large amounts of water, sand, and hundreds of chemicals into shale rock.

The EPA's findings come shortly after a November report that fracking caused two minor earthquakes.

Discussion Starters:

• Review the EPA report. What principles of report writing does the draft follow?
• How is the report organized? Do you find this organization effective? Why or why not?
• How could the report be improved for easier reading?
• Research the fracking issue further. Based on your findings, what is the significance of this report?