Tag: hydraulic fracturing

Coming up with a definition of diesel fuel seems like a fairly straightforward task, but in the world of natural gas drilling and the process of hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – nothing ever comes easy. Senior Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette on Monday joined fellow Democrats Henry Waxman, Edward Markey and Rush Holt in asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to write a much broader definition of diesel fuel than the industry seems willing to accept.

Western Slope oil and gas watchdog groups this week questioned whether the new board members appointed to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) last week by Gov. John Hickenlooper will lean too heavily toward industry and Front Range concerns.

Gov. John Hickenlooper today dismissed the fears of activists and community members concerned that the natural gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing can contaminate groundwater supplies, but he conceded the state should require the industry to disclose chemicals used in the “fracking” process.

Among scientists, debate still rages over what ultimately killed off the dinosaurs. In the case of the loveable frack-osaurus “Talisman Terry,” there’s no question. It was Stephen Colbert.

Stephen Colbert satirically skewered Talisman Energy’s “Talisman Terry” coloring book character Monday night, following the sad tale to its conclusion with the loveable “frack-osaurus” ultimately lighting himself on fire in a natural-gas-contaminated shower scene.

Hydraulic fracturing itself may not directly contaminate groundwater supplies, as the oil and gas industry has steadfastly maintained for years, but the wastewater associated with the controversial process can be very hazardous to forest life, at least according to a new study produced by a U.S. Forest Service researcher.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., a co-sponsor of the FRAC Act with Colorado Democratic Reps. Diana DeGette and Jared Polis, on Sunday called for a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) probe of the natural gas industry after a New York Times article brought up allegations of an “Enron-style Ponzi scheme.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced seven sites for its ongoing and congressionally mandated study of the potential impacts of the natural gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water supplies. One of those sites is in Las Animas County, Colorado.

Colorado’s rules governing the controversial natural gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will be on the hot seat Thursday during an independent review that includes a public meeting in Denver.

Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette, D-Denver, today sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., requesting a full hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the controversial topic of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.