Colorado Environmental Coalition Applauds Compromise on Fracking Fluids as “Important Step”
Release Date: December 13, 2011
Denver
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Contact:
Charlie Montgomery
Colorado Environmenatal Coalition
720-363-5873 |
Contact:
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A compromise on a new state rule governing the disclosure of fracking chemicals provides Coloradoans with one of the strongest reporting requirements in the country and provides some assurance to Coloradoans that they can quickly access information about what substances are being injected when wells are drilled, Colorado Environmental Coalition energy organizer Charlie Montgomery said today.
“The new rule represents an important step forward for the citizens of Colorado,” said Montgomery. “We are pleased we could reach a reasonable compromise on protecting legitimate trade secrets while ensuring that all types of fracking chemicals and their concentrations are reported to the public.”
Earlier versions of the rule by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission would have given companies broad leeway in shielding chemicals from public view by declaring them trade
secrets. Under that version of the proposed rule, the privilege of trade secrets status would have been handed out with no questions asked.
However, under the compromise, companies will need to justify and certify their trade secret claims. Also, the rule endorses a broad interpretation of legal standing when it comes to citizens challenging companies’ trade secret claims.
“Colorado has taken a strong first step to addressing public health and environmental concerns from fracking,” said Matt Reed, public lands director of the High Country Citizens Alliance. “The new disclosure rule, while not perfect, adds transparency to what has been a secretive process. The result will be a better-informed public, recourse for citizens to pursue violations of the rule, and ultimately a better understanding of what chemicals are going into the ground and where.”
Elected officials also focused on the rule’s impact on communities and praised the role of citizens in helping to shape the outcome.
“This compromise means there is no free pass for drilling firms,” said Rep. Deb Gardner (D-Longmont). “There is now a greater degree of checks and balances. It’s clear the commission heard the hundreds of voices that surfaced over the past few weeks and months—Colorado citizens want full confidence in the quality of their air, water and soil.”
Veteran observers of the fracking process noted that while the volume of chemicals in any single operation may be small, fracking chemicals can be highly toxic, and the link between fracking
and groundwater contamination is now under renewed scrutiny. Fracking is a short-hand term for “hydraulic fracturing” and is the process of breaking apart soil and rock a mile or more below
surface using high-pressure water, sand and chemicals.
“Colorado citizens are justifiably worried about the practice of fracking and deserve full confidence that the state is protecting the quality of their air, water and soil,” said Josh Joswick, energy issues organizer of San Juan Citizens Alliance. “Frack chemicals still remain a mystery, and just last week the federal government announced that there may be a link between fracking and groundwater contamination in Wyoming. Coloradoans have a right to be concerned, and will watch as this rule is implemented.”
Montgomery applauded Gov. John Hickenlooper for starting the process and helping all parties reach a successful conclusion.
“The governor jumped into the fray at a moment of impasse to help all of us reach a positive conclusion,” said Montgomery. “We’re eager to continue working with the governor and our
other elected officials, as well as with industry, to ensure Colorado remains at the forefront of balancing the interests of development with common-sense protections for our communities.”
Additional contact: Mark Stevens, 303-495-8699 (cell) or 720-328-5488 (office)
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