Contact: Jeff Barbosa (916) 319-2020
Editorial Cites AB 591 as "Too important to be overlooked"
Fremont, CA — Assemblymember Wieckowski announced today that the LA Times has written in support of AB 591, Wieckowski's landmark legislation that would enable public disclosure of dangerous chemicals being released into the environment in the hydraulic fracturing process.
"AB 591 is a forward-looking bill to ensure that Californians are fully aware of the chemicals being used in the drilling process for natural gas," said Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski, who serves as the chair of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee in the Assembly. "Communities around the country have had to grapple with groundwater contamination as a result of these chemicals, which can endanger public health."
The article explores the controversy surrounding hydraulic fracturing: "The worry is that the chemicals used in fracking, sometimes including the carcinogen benzene, are contaminating water supplies… there has been shockingly little study of the issue — and considerable evidence that political interference has discouraged regulators from thoroughly examining it."
Currently, companies that produce the fluids used in the fracking process can keep the contents of the fluids secret, and there have been numerous reports of these fluids contaminating ground water. AB 591 would require oil and gas operators to disclose detailed information about the chemicals used in the production and exploration process when applying for a drilling permit.
The bill is supported by Environmental Working Group, Environment California, Earthworks, Sierra Club California, Clean Water Action and Planning and Conservation League, among other environmental organizations.
Assemblymember Wieckowski also serves as the co-chair of the Select Committee on California's Clean Energy Economy. He is also a member of the Judiciary, Insurance, and PERS committees. Wieckowski was elected in November 2010 to represent the 20th Assembly District, which includes all of Fremont, Union City, Newark, Milpitas, and parts of Castro Valley, Hayward and Pleasanton.
