WASHINGTON, May 29 (RIA Novosti) - Ranking Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce expressed deep concern over the practice of hydraulic and chemical fracking in his homestate of California, where state-level lawmakers are currently trying to rein in the practice to protect residents safety and the environment.
“In my state, fracking has to be carefully regulated to protect the safety and wellbeing of the people of California,” said Waxman in an interview with RIA Novosti. “And especially, that is true where we have a large number of earthquake faults.”
According to a report by the Center on Biological Diversity, fracking is now taking place in 10 California counties. The practice uses large amounts of water mixed with chemicals and sand under high pressure to break up rock formations and allow for oil and natural gas extraction.
Opponents to the practice have cited numerous concerns including the use of toxic chemicals including hydrochloric acid, napthalene, hydrogen fluoride, and sulfuric acid, to name a few.
Rep. Waxman also raised concern over the excessive use of water for fracking. “We have to be mindful of the use of water for fracking as well as the impact on our aquifers,” he told RIA Novosti.
According to a report by the Western States Petroleum Association, "The average amount of water used to hydraulically fracture an oil well in California in 2012 was 116,535 gallons.” Currently, the National Drought monitor shows that 100% of the state of California is experiencing some form of drought conditions.
