U.S. Secretary of the Interior Refutes Hydraulic Fracturing Bans

In recent months, there have been some major developments across the country concerning hydraulic fracturing. In November of 2014, the city of Denton, Texas, banned hydraulic fracturing within its city limits – despite warnings of the ramifications to the economy. One month later, hydraulic fracturing was banned within the entire state of New York. 

Following these recent developments, Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, commented to Northern California NPR affiliate KQED in an exclusive interview, raising her fears that the country is moving in the wrong direction concerning regulation of the oil and gas industry. 

“I would say that is the wrong way to go,” Jewell said. “I think it’s going to be very difficult for industry [sic] to figure out what the rules are if different counties have different rules.” And as a former petroleum engineer, Jewell also voiced concern that “fracking” is getting a bad name: “There is a lot of misinformation about fracking … There are a lot of fears out there in the general public and that manifests itself with local laws or regional laws … I think that localized efforts or statewide efforts in many cases don’t understand the science behind it and I think there needs to be more science.” 

And as a former petroleum engineer, Jewell also voiced concern that “fracking” is getting a bad name: “There is a lot of misinformation about fracking … There are a lot of fears out there in the general public and that manifests itself with local laws or regional laws … I think that localized efforts or statewide efforts in many cases don’t understand the science behind it and I think there needs to be more science.” 

However, despite the fact that scientists and government officials continue to report the safety of hydraulic fracturing, the bans continue. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s recent comments can be added to the list of those who support the proven safety of hydraulic fracturing.