Deal on frack-fluid disclosure might be close

Greenwire reports via the New York Times that there is discussion behind the scenes in Congress about a possible plan to publicly disclose the proprietary fluids used in hydraulic fracturing:

The proposal making the rounds in the House would largely keep EPA out of the process and require disclosure beyond the "material safety data sheets" that many in industry have insisted are sufficient. Critics say that the documents, designed for worker safety rather than groundwater protection, lack important details about the chemicals in fracturing fluid.

The gamble for the gas drilling industry is that a much tougher disclosure requirement will become law on the wings of public outrage about the BP oil spill and the documentary "Gasland," which debuted on HBO this week.