Fact Sheet on H.R. 7231
To repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other purposes

Sponsor: Diana DeGette
Co-sponsors: Maurice Henchy (D-NY) and John Salazar

In the 2005 U.S. Energy Policy Act, the oil and gas industry won exemptions from the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Because of this exemption, the oil and gas industry does not have to disclose (and the US government cannot ask) what chemicals they are using in the drilling process. In the process of hydraulic fracturing ("fraccing") the industry can use as much as one million gallons per fracturing event and each well can be fractured many times. This fluid often contains toxic chemicals, and operators do not have to report on how much of the fluid remains underground and what is recovered. 

Colorado residents deserve to know what chemicals are being used in gas drilling operations.

On September 29, 2008 our representatives introduced HR 7231 in the House of Representatives. This bill repeals the exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act and requires operators to disclose the potential harmful chemicals used for fracing. Click here to view the bill.

This bill would provide federal protections to minimize and prevent the impacts of oil and gas drilling on underground sources of drinking water on our public lands.  The oil and gas industry is the only industry in America that is allowed by EPA to inject known hazardous materials -- unchecked -- directly into or adjacent to underground drinking water supplies. According to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, 90 percent of oil and gas wells in the U.S. undergo fracturing to stimulate production.

» For further information click here.

» Denver Post Article, 11/17 "Drilling process causes water supply alarm"