[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 106 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H4862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NATURAL GAS REGULATED AT THE STATE LEVEL IS WORKING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, the Washington 
Times reported, and I quote:

       The leading Federal research effort into the controversial 
     drilling method known as fracking has turned up no evidence 
     so far linking the process to water contamination, a 
     connection continually drawn by many environmentalist 
     critics, along with some Democrats in Congress.

  The report continues, stating:

       The Department of Energy research being conducted at a 
     Marcellus shale natural gas well in western Pennsylvania thus 
     far has shown that chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing 
     practice have stayed thousands of feet below drinking water 
     supplies.

  Additionally, in April, a determination made by the Pennsylvania 
Department of Environmental Protection found that fracking is not to 
blame for high methane levels in drinking water in communities in 
northern Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States oil and gas producers would pay an 
additional $345 million a year, or an average of $96,913 per well, 
under the United States Bureau of Land Management's amended proposed 
Federal onshore hydraulic fracturing regulations.
  According to the report, the amended proposal's estimated cost still 
exceeds the $100 million threshold requiring an economic assessment by 
the Bureau of Land Management.
  Now, while changes the Department of the Interior made following 
comments from producers, environmental organizations and other 
stakeholders included elimination of the requirement to regulate well 
maintenance, much more consideration must be given to these burdensome 
regulations.

                              {time}  1030

  Local scientists and regulators know the geology where natural gas 
extraction occurs. They know the industry. They know how to balance 
good science and manage the industry's expansion--without thwarting 
innovation, growth, and affordable, reliable energy. Local economies, 
including many in my district, are booming due to the natural gas 
industry. The model that is making this possible is based on stringent 
regulations at the State level, not the heavy hand of the Federal 
Government.
  Mr. Speaker, later this week, the bipartisan Congressional Natural 
Gas Caucus will convene a field hearing, entitled, ``The Economic 
Impacts of Shale Production.'' This will be done at Penn College in 
Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The caucus will receive testimony from 
local officials and community leaders concerning the economic impacts 
of natural gas production.
  We must promote best practices, sound science, and do our very best 
as communities to manage this rapid growth and promote this industry 
that is offering prosperity to so many Americans.

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