New Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure Requirements Drawing Controversy

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that newly proposed rules by The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that would require those who drill on federal public lands to disclose hydraulic fracturing chemicals that they use is drawing heavy criticism by the oil and gas industry. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" is a method of extracting natural gas or oil from deep shale formations by the injection of a liquid substance (which usually includes chemicals) at high pressure. The new rules would allow a trade-secret exemption if companies can demonstrate that information is protected by state or federal regulations.