Texas House Passes Landmark Chemical Disclosure Legislation Co-Authored by Carter

May 13, 2011

(AUSTIN, TX) – The Texas House of Representative passes this week landmark chemical disclosure legislation, coauthored by Representative Stefani Carter (Dallas).  House Bill 3328 would require gas companies to publicly disclose the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” is a drilling process that involves injecting a high-pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals deep into the ground in an effort to extract gas from shale rock.  HB 3328 would require companies engaged in this practice to disclose on a public website the chemicals and the amounts of those chemicals.

“Texans have demanded to know the chemicals being used during the process of hydraulic fracturing,” said Carter.  “They deserve to know if harmful chemicals are being put into the ground, potentially contaminating their water and being released into the air.”

HB 3328 would allow companies to protect the specific chemical formulas used in their hydraulic fracturing procedures that are “trade secrets,” and would exclude that information from being made available to the public.

“While industry generally opposes mandatory disclosure, the primary goals of this legislation are transparency and safety,”  said Carter.  “This landmark legislation strikes a good balance among industry, environmental groups and the public.”

Stefani Carter is serving her first term representing House District 102, which includes parts of Dallas, Richardson, and Garland.  Carter, a native of the Dallas area, serves on the House Committee on Energy Resources.

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