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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- State lawmakers are considering new regulations for the controversial oil drilling method called hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. It uses water and chemicals to break up underground shale rock in order to get to oil and natural gas
Lawmakers heard from state regulators, industry experts and environmentalists at a hearing at the state capitol Tuesday. They're considering new regulations for the oil industry, which is interested in using new fracking techniques to tap into the Monterey shale off the Central Coast, which is believed to hold an estimated fifteen billion barrels of oil.
Fracking is opposed by environmentalists and others because of its possible harmful effects on the environment, including drinking water and fish.
One proposed new regulation would require oil companies to identify the chemicals they use.
The oil industry claims fracking has been practiced for many years, here in California and elsewhere, with no known negative effects.
