DeGette Statement on Department of Energy Hydraulic Fracturing Report

WASHINGTON– As the author of the FRAC Act (FracturingResponsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act) and the leading House voice onresponsible hydraulic fracturing, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) today issued thefollowing statement in response to the Department of Energy's Natural GasSubcommittee report on improving the safety of fracking.

"Iam extremely encouraged that the Subcommittee's findings strongly support thereasonable and common-sense regulations I have set forth in the FRAC Act. I am particularly pleased with their call for mandatory disclosure regulationsto enable the public to discover the specific chemicals injected into theground in their communities. I have long believed that public disclosure of thechemicals in fracking fluid is a fundamental step we can take to safeguard thedrinking water of families living near fracking wells. As the report notes,there is ‘no economic or technical reason' not to do so.

"Overthe past several months, my Committee has revealed extensive evidence of theuse of diesel fuel in fracking projects across the nation. This report'srecommendation to cease use of diesel at all is a welcome development as westrive to make the fracking process safer. To that end, I look forward toworking with the department on our most recent request, to develop a definitionof ‘diesel fuel' that better protects the health of our families.

"Lastly,I support their call to develop best practices for casing and cementing jobs infracking operations. Last year's BP spill in the Gulf has been largelyattributed to faulty casing and cementing, and, as I have repeatedly warned,the consequences of a similar tragedy in an onshore well could be even morecatastrophic.

"TheFRAC Act I have introduced is consistent with many of this report'srecommendations, including providing for common-sense safeguards like requireddisclosure of the chemicals used in the fracking process. As always, Istrongly believe natural gas is an important economic driver – particularly formy state of Colorado – and a critical bridge fuel, but we must ensure theprocess for extracting it is done safely and responsibly. Moving forward I hopethe Department works more closely, not only with EPA and Interior, but alsowith those of us in Congress working towards our shared goals."

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