Texas Fracking Disclosures to Include Water Totals

[sonias]

Texas Tribune 1/16/12

Texas Fracking Disclosures to Include Water Totals

Starting Feb. 1, drilling operators in Texas will have to report many of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. Environmentalists and landowners are looking forward to learning what acids, hydroxides and other materials have gone into a given well.

But a less-publicized part of the regulation is what some water experts are most interested in: the mandatory disclosure of the amount of water needed to “frack” each well. Experts call this an invaluable tool as they evaluate how fracking affects water supplies in the drought-prone state.

Hydraulic fracturing involves shooting water, sand and additives deep into the earth to retrieve oil or gas. Under the new rule, Texans will be able to check a website, fracfocus.org, to view the chemical and water disclosures.

“It’s a huge step forward from where we were,” Amy Hardberger, an Environmental Defense Fund lawyer, said of the water-reporting rule.

One step in the right direction.

[white cloud]

1. It may all be white wash by cronies capitalist?

EDF has drawn criticism for its ties to large corporations including McDonald’s, FedEx, and the Texas energy company TXU, with which the organization has negotiated to reduce emissions and develop more environmentally friendly business practices. EDF’s philosophy is that it is willing to talk with big business and try new approaches in order to get environmental results.[81][82]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Defense_Fund

[white cloud]

2. Looks good. Hope she does not turn greedy

http://www.edf.org/people/amy-hardberger

Climate work

Since joining Environmental Defense Fund in 2006, Amy has worked to:
•boost energy efficiency standards statewide and locally,
•increase the renewable portfolio standard, and
•fight coal plants proposed for Texas.

In 2006, she helped secure our TXU victory, stopping the construction of 8 new coal-fired power plants.
Water work

Amy, a hydrogeologist, also helps protect Texas's waterways. She:
•Is working on restoration of the Edwards Aquifer, trying to ensure that spring flow needs are adequately being considered in the scientific study and promoting effective critical period management approach;
•Analyzes the operational and maintenance costs of transporting water, and is co-developing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the connection between water and energy in Texas,
•Reviews successful municipal water conservation plans and evaluates conservation alternatives;
•Researches potential carbon sequestration areas using geologic tools, including geomechanical and flow modeling as well as structural maps to identify possible pilot locations that would maximize sequestration and minimally affect water resources.
•Assists in the development of carbon sequestration regulations in Texas and nationwide;
•Educates the public and decision makers about the climate and local air quality benefits of clean air strategies;
•Educates public leaders, policymakers and the public about these issues.





Looks like she has several blogs going:
Is Desal the Answer?
Posted: January 6, 2012

Blog name: Amy Hardberger: Texas Water

Make a Water Resolution
Posted: January 4, 2012

Blog name: Amy Hardberger: Texas Water

What Not To Do in a Drought
Posted: December 13, 2011

Blog name: Amy Hardberger: Texas Water

Energy and Water Continue to Collide
Posted: November 28, 2011

Blog name: Amy Hardberger: Texas Water

Learning a Little About Aquifers
Posted: November 23, 2011

Blog name: Amy Hardberger: Texas Water