Three Democratic U.S. representatives complained that drillers are using diesel in hydraulic fracturing operations, which they called a violation of federal clean water regulations.
Texas, where North Texas' Barnett Shale is the nation's No. 1 natural gas source and the Eagle Ford Shale in South and Central Texas is a growing resource, accounted for half of the total. Companies also used at least 1 million gallons of diesel-containing fluids in Oklahoma, Wyoming, North Dakota, Louisiana and Colorado, the lawmakers said.
Ed Ireland, executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council, told the Star-Telegram on Monday, "I don't think [diesel] is used at all in the Barnett Shale" in fracturing fluids.
You can read the Star-Telegram's complete report here.
The Houston Chronicle also has a report that goes into considerable detail. It's available here.
-- Jim Fuquay