DeGette Pleased with CO Commission Decision on Fracking Disclosure

DENVER, CO– U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) released the following statement regarding theColorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's (COGCC) vote today to requirepublic disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracking. DeGette is theauthor and lead sponsor of the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness ofChemicals Act (FRAC Act), which would remove the oil and gas industry'sexemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act, and require disclosure of the chemicalsused in fracking fluids.

"Thismorning's decision by the COGCC marks a big step forward in public disclosureof fracking fluids. I'm pleased to see that industryand Colorado state regulators agree with what I and others in thecommunity have long maintained: that the public deserves to know whatchemicals are injected into the ground in their communities. While the trade secret provision of the new rule is not perfect, I'mhopeful it will be implemented in such a way that Coloradoans are able toaccess information that they need. With the widespread use of frackingaffecting so many communities it is critical there be transparency inthe process.

"Naturalgas is an important economic driver for Colorado and has a pivotal role to playin 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 comeat the expense of air we breathe and the water we drink. Just last weekthe EPA found that fracking likely contributed to the contamination of water inthe aquifer for Pavillion, Wyoming. The fact that we have a proven caseof a connection between hydraulic fracturing and the contamination of anaquifer underscores just how important it is that we take cautionary steps toprotect our communities' water supply. That is why I continue to encouragemembers of Congress to pass my FRAC Act, so communities across the country willhave transparency in the drilling process as well."

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