Interior delays ‘fracking’ rules

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The Hill:

The Interior Department no longer plans to finalize rules this year that will impose new controls on the controversial oil-and-gas development method called hydraulic fracturing, a spokesman said.

“In order to ensure that the 170,000 comments received are properly analyzed, the Bureau of Land Management expects action on the [hydraulic fracturing] proposal in the new year,” Interior spokesman Blake Androff said.

In May, Interior floated draft rules that would force drillers, when operating on federal lands, to disclose chemicals used when employing the method dubbed “fracking.” Interior officials had previously said they that planned to complete the rules by the end of 2012.

Fracking involves high-pressure injections of water, chemicals and sand into shale formations to open seams that enable hydrocarbons to flow.

The method is enabling an oil-and-gas production boom in a number of states, but is bringing fears of water pollution alongside it.

The proposed rules for federal lands have faced heavy criticism from industry groups and some Republicans, who say state oversight is sufficient.

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Punting on fracking?