Watch CBS News

Md. Ponders Disclosure Of Gas-Drilling Chemicals

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) -- An advisory panel is considering a state proposal that would require companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used for hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.

The proposal is up for discussion at Monday's meeting in Oakland of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. The panel is developing recommendations for state regulation of natural gas drilling in western Maryland.

A 2012 congressional research report says 15 states have laws requiring some disclosure of the chemicals that are added to fluid that is pumped underground to fracture rock formations and release gas and oil.

Drilling companies maintain that some of the ingredients are trade secrets.

The Maryland proposal would require companies to disclose the names of all the chemicals in a product used for drilling, without linking them to a specific product name.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.