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The federal Environmental Protection Agency released a progress report on Friday about its national study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water supplies. In nearly 200 pages, the agency lays out data, case studies and a summary of research into issues like spills and the treatment and disposal of wastewater.

But the agency draws no conclusions on whether the drilling process threatens drinking water; it is not expected to do so until 2014, in a draft that will be subjected to public and peer review.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves pumping vast amounts of water laced with chemicals into underground shale formations under high pressure to release natural gas. In New York State, the drilling method is a focus of sharp debate as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo nears a decision on whether to allow it to go forward after years of environmental studies and the drafting of proposed regulations. A state study on health impacts is currently under way.

Fracking is already permitted in numerous other states, from Pennsylvania to North Dakota to Texas.