"FORT WORTH, Texas — A new Texas Railroad Commission rule requiring oil and natural gas operators to publicly disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells takes effect Wednesday."

"The rule also requires that operators disclose how much water is used in fracking, a process that may require 1 million to 5 million gallons for a well drilled in North Texas' Barnett Shale.

Ed Ireland, executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council, an industry group, said he believes that the information, to be disclosed at www.fracfocus.org [2], will be most sought by "those who have a keen interest in the environmental questions being raised regarding hydraulic fracturing."

Critics of fracking, including some prominent environmental groups, have expressed concerns about its potential to cause groundwater contamination. Concerns also have been raised about the amount of water used, especially in drought-stricken Texas where water restrictions have been imposed."

Jack Z. Smith reports for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram January 31, 2012. [3]

SEE ALSO:

"Fracturing Site To Detail What's in the Water" (Houston Chronicle) [4]