House panel votes to block Interior’s ‘fracking’ rule

{mosads}The Interior rules would require disclosure of chemicals used in the fracking process and also address well integrity and management of so-called flowback water.

“It is important that Interior put in place a regulatory floor,” said Rep. Matthew Cartwright (D-Pa.) of rules that would govern only fracking that occurs on federal and Indian lands.

“We already know that oil and gas companies are committing serious safety violations,” he said during committee debate.

But Flores called the bill “a solution in search of a problem,” while Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said the Obama administration is hostile to developing resources on federal lands.

Hastings said that “duplicative, costly and burdensome federal regulations are unnecessary and would hinder American energy production.”