E2 Round-up: Dems investigate 'fracking,' Canada worries over U.S. greenhouse gas limits

House Democrats opened an investigation into hydraulic fracturing yesterday, asking for more details about the controversial drilling technique that is responsible for a big increase in natural gas supplies.

The industry insists the practice is safe, but the Wall Street Journal notes that a recent EPA review found a “possible link” between “fracking” and drinking water contamination. The EPA review was noted by Reps. Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts as they explained in a memo to House energy and environment subcommittee members why they were seeking more information on the drilling technique.

Here is a piece I did yesterday on the fracking investigation. Waxman and Markey sent letters to eight companies seeking more information on fracking, which has generated some local environmental concerns. 

The natural gas industry has dreaded efforts in Congress to increase federal regulation of fracturing. But in their memo, Waxman and Markey also praise “new techniques” that have boosted gas supplies, which offer a potential way to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas emits about half of the carbon dioxide that coal does when burned.

The Washington Post’s Steven Pearlstein offers more full throated support for natural gas in his column today. Pearlstein sees natural gas as a "silver bullet" in the push to lower greenhouse gases.

“Decommission about two-thirds of the electric-generating capacity fueled by cheap and plentiful coal, and replace it with power generated from cheap and plentiful natural gas, which emits half as much carbon for each megawatt of electricity,” Pearlstein writes.

Canadian officials are seeking assurances that U.S. greenhouse gas regulations won’t interfere with trade between Canada and the United States. A delegation is meeting with EPA Administration Lisa Jackson and other administration officials today.

“Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, chairman of the Council of the Federation, said he worries that plans by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon dioxide emissions could prompt Washington to impose protectionist barriers on oil and other Canadian products made from carbon-intensive industries,” in the Montreal Gazette.