Chu steps into gas drilling debate

Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Friday said a controversial natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, which energy companies are increasingly using to access abundant U.S. shale gas reserves, can be performed safely.

The comments come amid a major lobbying effort by oil-and-gas companies to prevent Congress from increasing regulation of the practice. Environmentalists fear that “fracking” will pollute water supplies while industry contends the practice is safe.

“The question is, can you do this right so it doesn’t leak into the water table,” Chu said in a briefing with reporters. “I think you can.”

But he also said that done wrong it presents risks. “Can you do it incorrectly and start to pollute water tables? Yes,” he said.

Chu cited the potential of abundant natural gas supplies to displace coal, which emits more carbon dioxide when used for electricity, as well as opportunities for wider use in the transportation sector.

Pending bills would overturn a 2005 law that exempted fracking – which involves high-pressure injections of chemicals, water and sand to break apart rock formations – from Safe Drinking Water Act regulation. They would also mandate disclosure of chemicals used.