Fracking chemicals are less of a secret now, thanks to groups' and agencies' initiatives

Much of the ongoing controversy surrounding hydraulic fracturing for natural gas has centered on secrecy of the chemicals used by drilling companies. Limited voluntary and some mandatory state disclosure has revealed some of the chemicals. "In an effort to increase transparency, a new website called FracFocus provides some limited information on substances used in specific wells," the Society of Environmental Journalists reports in its most recent "Tip Sheet." The site includes information voluntarily supplied by some companies with fracking operations.

The site, developed by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, "can provide one starting point for your coverage of this angle," SEJ writes. Another valuable resource for fracking reporting is a report on April 16 from House Democrats that identifies 750 substances used from 2005-2009 in fracking operations. Additional disclosure information can be obtained from new programs initiated by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2010 and the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission in 2011, SEJ says. (Read more)