Bills Seek to Close Frac Chemicals Loophole in SDWA
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) joined U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) on June 9 to introduce companion Senate and House bills, the FRAC ACT -- "Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act," amending the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The legislation would repeal the exemption provided for the oil and gas industry and would require them to disclose the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing processes, according to a press release from DeGette's office. Currently, the oil and gas industry is the only industry granted an exemption from complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“When it comes to protecting the public’s health, it’s not unreasonable to require these companies to disclose the chemicals they are using in our communities – especially near our water sources,” said U.S. Rep. DeGette, vice chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “Our bill simply closes an unconscionable Bush-Cheney loophole by requiring the oil and gas industry to follow the same rules as everyone else.”