Published: 4/12/2011

N.Y. starts registry of chemicals in ‘fracking’

BLADE NEWS SERVICES

NEW YORK — A pair of state groups has launched a registry for chemicals used in extracting natural gas through hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”

The online registry, announced Tuesday, makes it easier for the public to find out what chemicals are used to extract natural gas in nearby wells. But participating drillers will continue to withhold data about chemicals they consider proprietary.

Twenty-four drillers have volunteered to post data on the registry FracFocus.org so the public can find information about the chemicals used. The chemicals in the fluid are adjusted based on the geology of the formation.

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