Salazar vows to ‘fully consider’ Capitol Hill input on gas ‘fracking’ rule

Salazar – who announced the potential rules in late November – said in the letter that he supports oil-and-gas development but wants to ensure it’s done in a “safe and effective” manner.

Hastings had written to Salazar in early December asking him to appear before the committee before moving ahead with rules that Hastings fears would be “burdensome” and stymie development.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) has also attacked the potential rules.

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” involves high-pressure injections of chemicals, water and sand to break apart rock formations and enable trapped gas to flow. The technique has helped enable a boom in development of gas from shale rock formations in a number of states, but is also raising allegations of groundwater contamination.

Industry groups call the concerns badly overblown and say their methods prevent water pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently studying the health and environmental effects of fracking.