Natural gas extraction method may be subject to more rules

There’s a move in Congress to impose tighter regulations on a key process used to recover natural gas in the Barnett Shale

Hydraulic fracturing uses a mix of water, sand and chemicals to create tiny cracks in the rock and release the gas. But it’s been under fire for years from environmentalists who question whether the chemicals are safe.

…A bill by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., would require companies to disclose the drilling chemicals they use and would subject them to the federal Clean Water Act.

The stakes are high because gas drilling is beginning to push into neighborhoods, near parks and next to water reservoirs in Tarrant County.

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