Interior mulls policy on disclosure of gas 'fracking' fluids

The Interior Department may compel natural-gas drillers to disclose the chemicals they're using for a controversial drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing. "Within the Department of the Interior ... we will be considering issuing a policy that will deal with the issue of disclosure requirements with respect to the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tuesday at a forum on natural-gas development. The drilling method — dubbed "fracking" — employs high-pressure injections of chemicals, water and sand to break apart rock formations and enable trapped gas beneath the surface to flow. Interior regulates energy development on public lands. Fracking is enabling a boom in U.S. gas development but also raising fears of groundwater contamination...more