U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) released the following statement regarding the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s (COGCC) vote today to require public disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracking. DeGette is the author and lead sponsor of the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC Act), which would remove the oil and gas industry’s exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act, and require disclosure of the chemicals used in fracking fluids.
“This morning’s decision by the COGCC marks a big step forward in public disclosure of fracking fluids. I’m pleased to see that industry and Colorado state regulators agree with what I and others in the community have long maintained: that the public deserves to know what chemicals are injected into the ground in their communities. While the trade secret provision of the new rule is not perfect, I’m hopeful it will be implemented in such a way that Coloradoans are able to access information that they need. With the widespread use of fracking affecting so many communities it is critical there be transparency in the process.
“Natural gas is an important economic driver for Colorado and has a pivotal role to play in our region’s, and the nation’s, clean energy economy in the 21st century. But we must ensure the economic and energy benefits of natural gas do not come at the expense of air we breathe and the water we drink. Just last week the EPA found that fracking likely contributed to the contamination of water in the aquifer for Pavillion, Wyoming. The fact that we have a proven case of a connection between hydraulic fracturing and the contamination of an aquifer underscores just how important it is that we take cautionary steps to protect our communities’ water supply. That is why I continue to encourage members of Congress to pass my FRAC Act, so communities across the country will have transparency in the drilling process as well.”
