Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the committee’s investigation into hydraulic fracturing and the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing liquids.

The committee reports that companies pumped more than 1.3 million gallons of fracturing fluids containing toxic diesel fuel underground in Colorado alone between 2005-2009, and more than 32 million gallons nationwide.

“The report of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing is an alarming cause for concern, particularly when a resource as critical as Colorado’s water is at risk.

“Hydraulic fracturing is an important part of natural gas development and is a process I support when it is done transparently and in accordance with the law.

“I have called for complete industry compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and full meaningful public disclosure of all hydraulic fracturing fluids. I fought for this disclosure during the Senate energy debate last summer and will keep up that fight.  I would also encourage the EPA to include a greater investigation of these alleged diesel violations in its upcoming study on hydraulic fracturing.

“Clean burning natural gas should play a significant role in our energy future; but that role should never come at the expense of public health.”