BP Already Lobbying In Fight Against Any Federal Regulation Of Shale Gas Hydraulic Fracturing

[hatrack]

BP is lobbying on Capitol Hill against a federal US environmental agency being given jurisdiction over the use of a controversial method of extracting gas from shale deposits, ahead of an important meeting this week.

The London-based oil company wants decisions on drilling techniques such as hydraulic fracturing – which uses high-pressure liquids to force fissures – to be taken at state level, rather than being left to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose specialist committee meets on Wednesday to discuss its concerns.

BP is also opposed to the public disclosure of the chemicals used in fracturing, on the basis that the information is commercially sensitive – something that will anger environmentalists, who are highly suspicious of the process. Although BP was unable to comment, the New York Times published a "discussion draft" said to have been produced by BP which says: "States with existing oil and gas regulatory programmes have the authority to and are best situated to continue regulating hydraulic fracturing processes and procedures."

Ed. - emphasis added

EDIT

BP was once seen as one of the most environmentally conscious oil companies but that reputation is now under strain as it becomes a vocal supporter of and active participant in the carbon-intensive tar sands extraction in Canada. The green rhetoric of its former chief executive Lord Browne has been toned down since Hayward took the reins three years ago, although the company retains the use of the slogan "Beyond petroleum" – adopted under Browne's leadership – for some of its activities.

EDIT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/04/bp-shale-gas-environment-protection-agency

[joshcryer]

1. Oh god this is terrifying.

[malakai2]

2. Commercially sensitive...

In the sense that if the public knew what fracking involved, rules would become considerably more strict.

Read the statements oil majors release after spills or fracking incidents...usually something along the lines of "We are cooperating with EPA-or whoever-to resolve this issue. We have complied and will continue to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We will continue to provide safe, affordable energy for the American people."

Only a nazi communist atheist muslim wouldn't find that reasonable, so anybody complaining about fracking is obviously being unreasonable. It's still weird to me to watch this happen in real time and know how it will turn out.