Oil and gas industry says there’s no need for EPA regulation of natural gas drilling practice

Industry: No need for EPA to regulate gas drilling

WASHINGTON — The oil and natural gas industry is willing to cooperate with a federal study of natural gas drilling, but opposes regulation of a practice known as hydraulic fracturing.

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked nine natural gas companies to disclose the chemical components used in that process. The agency is studying its effect on water and public health.

Stephanie Meadows of the American Petroleum Institute says states have regulated natural gas drilling for years and there’s no need for one more layer of oversight. She says the planned study probably will show there’s no impact on drinking water.

In hydraulic fracturing, crews inject lots of water, sand and chemicals underground to force open channels so oil and natural gas will flow.