API endorses state-based proposal from GWPC and IOGCC on hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure

WASHINGTON, December 14, 2010 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) announced it supports the voluntary chemical disclosure registry under development by the Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC).   

 “The states are the proper authority for determining requirements for chemical disclosure; so a program developed by the GWPC, and endorsed by the IOGCC is a step toward a solution on disclosure,” said API’s CEO, Jack Gerard. “But it is critical that we ensure confidential business information is protected and we will work with the GWPC to improve the reporting elements — which ultimately should enable maximum participation and enhance the program’s overall effectiveness.”

The GWPC’s voluntary, state-based electronic registry will have two phases — the first phase is a voluntary reporting registry, where companies will provide data on a well-by-well basis, disclosing for all wells including those located on federal, state and private lands. This first phase is tied to a longer-term registry, which will be developed over the next few years. This longer-term plan will be built using the GWPC's Risk Based Data Management System as a platform. This platform is already used by 25 state agencies that regulate and oversee oil and gas activities. The system was developed by the GWPC under the guidance of the United States Department of Energy.

For several years, API has been working closely with the Ground Water Protection Council, which is an organization that includes state groundwater protection officials who are legally responsible for safeguarding our clean drinking water. The GWPC website, www.gwpc.org, presents several reports addressing hydraulic fracturing and the overall effectiveness of state regulatory systems in protecting groundwater sources during oil and gas operations.  

The oil and natural gas industry has developed robust best practice documents for hydraulic fracturing operations and for developing natural resources in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. These documents and other relevant API standards can be found at http://api.org/policy-and-issues/hf.aspx

API represents more than 400 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America’s energy, supports more than 9.2 million U.S. jobs, accounts for 7.5 percent of the U.S. economy, and, since 2000, has invested nearly $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives, while reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.

Updated: December 14, 2010