Contact:

Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

Katie Brown Katie_Brown@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-2160                

With New Air Rules Obama-EPA Moves Forward with War on Natural Gas

Washington, D.C. - This afternoon, the Obama-EPA issued its first federal air rules for natural gas wells that are hydraulically fractured.  Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said that contrary to President Obama's reelection rhetoric, these new regulations are the latest in his administration's war on natural gas production.

"The Obama EPA has been working aggressively to assert control over natural gas production so that they can regulate it out of existence - and this rule is just the latest in that grand scheme," Senator Inhofe said.  "It's no secret that EPA has been trying hard to manufacture a correlation between groundwater contamination and hydraulic fracturing, but in each case, they were unable to find sound scientific evidence to make this link.  So now, they're attempting to usurp control through air regulations. EPA has given us few details about the rule, and while I look forward to seeing it in full, I have serious concerns about its potential impacts, particularly on smaller producers.

"If anyone thinks this isn't the latest aspect of the President's war on natural gas production, remember Big Green, including the Sierra Club, joined together today to give President Obama their most enthusiastic endorsement, calling him a 'champion' for their cause.  Everyone knows that these groups are no friend to natural gas: as Sierra Club Director Michael Brune said, ‘It's time to stop thinking of natural gas as a "kinder, gentler" energy source.'  They must know that if President Obama wins reelection, he'll have the 'flexibility' to do just that."   

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