Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter Vows to Push for Rulemaking Process for Frac Fluid Disclosure to be Completed by July 1, 2012

AUSTIN —Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter announced today that he would push the Railroad Commission (RRC) to complete the entire rulemaking process requiring disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing by July 1, 2012.

The Texas Legislature sent a bill to Governor Rick Perry on Tuesday requiring the RRC to write disclosure rules for hazardous chemicals by July 1, 2012.  The bill requires the RRC to complete rulemaking for all other chemicals used in the process by July 1, 2013.

“In order for Texans to maintain confidence in the oil and gas industry, it is important for us to get this done as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Porter. “Hydraulic fracturing has been an economic driver for Texas, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and adding billions of dollars to local economies.  We are currently seeing record activity in the Eagle Ford Shale due to hydraulic fracturing which is why I am creating a task force to study these very issues.  We need to assure the public that hydraulic fracturing is safe and responsible - and has been for the past sixty years - and we need to do it now.”

The RRC will begin the rulemaking process at its next open conference this month and will hold open meetings throughout the state in coming months to garner public comment.

“I applaud Chairman Jim Keffer, Chair of the Texas House Committee on Energy, for bringing together industry, environmental groups and lawmakers to pass this historic legislation, keeping Texas at the forefront of oil and gas regulation,” said Commissioner Porter.  “I want to make sure the RRC follows Chairman Keffer’s lead and continues to give every party a seat at the table.”

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David J. Porter was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission on November 2, 2010. A Certified Public Accountant and successful small business owner, Commissioner Porter has worked with oil and gas producers for nearly three decades providing strategic financial advice and tax counsel. He has a long record of pro-business, free market, conservative credentials.