Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/247585
Sarasota News Leader January 24, 2014 Page 13 Supply Authority, which uses the Peace River There are two problems with the bills, Yon as its source. said. Thaxton said he is not "completely negative" on hydraulic fracturing as an industry. Coal is considered a dirtier fuel. But there has been enough recent negative news in fracking-intense states such as Pennsylvania that the idea of fracking anywhere close to Sarasota County raises the issue of real threats — from damage to economic engines such as tourism to possible water contamination. First, "There is no mention of the concentration of these chemicals," Yon said. Audubon Florida also "has a level of discomfort" with the use of FracFocus.org, which was created through industry funding. The major red flag for Yon is the "trade secrets" provision that would provide a path for the industry to try to disguise the use of certain chemicals or compounds that could "Environmental standards should be main- be toxic individually or in combination with tained," Thaxton pointed out. other substances. DISCLOSURE OR DISGUISE? "House Bill 157 says the industry can leave anything out by claiming trade secrets," Yon Audubon Florida, along with environmentalists, contends the proposed two Florida House pointed out. "That's a huge issue." bills (HB 71 and HB 157) do not do a good job Mica told the News Leader that fracking proof establishing environmental standards and ponents might be willing to strike a deal to holding oil and gas companies accountable if add some language to HB 71 to ease conthey frack in Florida. Critics argue the mea- cerns about concentrations. "I think that is a sures appear to offer disclosure but that they responsible thing, to disclose the amount of actually provide the oil and gas companies the chemicals," he said. "We're going to work cover to start the process in Florida. with them on that." The first bill, HB 71, would require companies to inform the state Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) of the chemicals they would use in the process and for the state agency to forward that information to a national registry called FracFocus. org. The second bill, HB 157, would allow DEP to determine if an exemption from public disclosure should be given to any chemical that a company argues needs to be shielded as a "trade secret." Both bills are sponsored by Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero. In addition to opposition from environmental groups such as Audubon Florida, some grassroots concerns have percolated. In 2012, Floridians Against Fracking started a Facebook page. As of Wednesday evening, Jan. 22, the group had 325 likes. As of press time, Jan. 23, FDEP's Mining and Minerals Regulation division had not responded to a request for information on whether there are active fracking permits or applications for permits. %