WASHINGTON –
Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-1) issued the following statement in response to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative interim report, The Future of Natural Gas, released today. The report recommended greater regulations of natural gas development including to "require the complete disclosure of all components of hydraulic fracture fluids." This is consistent with the disclosure provisions in Congresswoman DeGette’s FRAC Act (Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act), which would require public disclosure of fracking fluid components, but not companies’ proprietary formulas.
"The findings of the MIT Study provide further objective support for the importance of disclosure in conducting safe and responsible natural gas exploration.
As a Representative from Colorado, I support developing domestic natural gas, demonstrated in this report as an important bridge fuel to a cleaner economy. But as we have seen from the tragedy in the Gulf, we must have reasonable regulations on the oil and gas industry to ensure that energy exploration is done safely.
Around the country, including in my home state of Colorado, cases are emerging of residents, workers, and health care employees becoming ill after fracking operations began in their communities. Without disclosure, it is difficult to assess whether these incidents are from fracking chemicals or not. Quite simply, the American public has a right to know what chemicals are being used in their communities, particularly if those chemicals threaten their water supply.
As one of the most distinguished research entities in the world, MIT’s report and recommendations underscore the importance of achieving disclosure – to safeguard our drinking water, to protect our communities, and to drive safer energy exploration across the nation."
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