Anne C. Mulkern, Greenwire. May 7, 2009. New York Times.
Fearing a push by House Democrats to regulate a controversial form of natural gas production, an industry coalition [Energy in Depth] launched a campaign yesterday arguing that new rules would kill jobs and batter the economy. [See Sourcewatch: Energy in Depth]
The coalition of independent oil and gas companies says a Democratic proposal to allow new oversight over hydraulic fracturing would slash domestic oil and gas production and cost the Treasury $4 billion in lost taxes, royalties, rents and other payments. But environmentalists and an aide to a Democratic lawmaker backing regulation say the claim amounts to “scare tactics.”
…The 2005 Energy Policy Act exempted hydraulic fracturing from regulation under the Safe Water Drinking Act. But Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) proposed a bill last year to repeal that exemption. DeGette is now talking with Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) about either inserting her bill into pending climate legislation or reintroducing the measure on its own.
“We’re hoping to move this forward shortly,” DeGette spokesman Kristofer Eisenla said. Without federal oversight, he said, there is no way to really track whether the process is safe.
See: Energy Policy Act of 2005-Critique
See: The Case for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Toxic Hazards
See: Marcellus Shale Coalition
See: U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi: The Gavel: Draining The Swamp
See: Ceres Principles – Corporate Environmental Conduct
See: Fueling Washington
See: Natural Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public – Here’s How to Spot Them
See: This Website is a Crash Course In Fracking
See: Affirming Gasland
See: EPA Findings on Hydraulic Fracturing Deemed “Unsupportable”
See: Coalbed Methane Development: The Costs and Benefits of an Emerging Energy Resource
