Inside frack

    The secretive practice of the natural gas industry may soon see the light of day.

    The Associated Press reports officials are weighing a policy that includes disclosure requirements for fluids used in fracking.  Right now, the industry isn’t required to disclose what it uses.

    Interior Secretary Ken Salazar hosted a forum today on the drilling practice, in which crews inject millions of gallons of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, underground to force open channels in sand and rock formations so natural gas will flow.

    Salazar called the technique “a hot and very difficult issue,” both on public and private lands.  The New York Assembly approved a temporary ban on hydraulic fracturing this week.

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    In addition, a western Pennsylvania couple is suing a natural gas driller, saying the firm isn’t paying them royalties for drilling on their property.

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