WASHINGTON, DC— Today Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman, Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey, and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette released the following statement in response to new EPA draft guidelines on use of diesel fuel in oil and gas hydraulic fracturing:

“Last year, an investigation by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Democrats revealed that oil and gas companies had used at least 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydraulic fracturing fluids containing diesel fuel over a five year period.  This investigation also found that none of the companies sought—and no state and federal regulators issued—permits for diesel fuel use in hydraulic fracturing, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.  By issuing this guidance, EPA is taking a long-overdue step to explain existing requirements for the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.  We look forward to examining the proposed guidance in more detail.”   

The members’ began their investigation of hydraulic fracturing fluids in February 2010.  The memo to Committee members on the investigation is available online here.  The January 31, 2011, letter on the findings of the investigation is available online here.  The October 25, 2011, letter with updated findings is available online here.

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