FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Contact: Paul Chesser, [email protected]

American Tradition Institute today praised remarks made yesterday by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper at the Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s Energy Epicenter conference in Denver. He decried the “paranoia” being whipped up over the unfounded dangers behind the process of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) of shale to access natural gas and oil, stating there is “no science” behind the fears.

“Everybody in this room understands that hydraulic fracturing doesn’t connect to the groundwater,” said the governor, who is also a geologist. “It’s almost inconceivable that we would ever contaminate, through the fracking process, the groundwater.”

Gov. Hickenlooper, according to a report from Platts, also singled out the New York Times for a series on the industry that he said was full of misinformation and distortions of facts. Even the Times’ own ombudsman, Arthur Brisbane, criticized his newspaper - twice — for the gross misrepresentations and deceptions about sources in the series.

“This is all hyperbole and anxiety being expressed … and no science here,” Gov. Hickenlooper said.

“The New York Times is the big time,” the governor also told Platts. “When they say things, they have a great deal of journalistic credibility. I disagree with a large amount of what was in those articles … but their reach is so deep, it’s made a lot of oil and gas people say, ‘maybe we have to go further than we thought we had to.’”

The governor announced a voluntary program between state agencies and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association to test water supplies on properties close to drilling sites both before and after drilling is completed. Most large drillers, who will manage at least 90 percent of the sites scheduled for activity this year, have agreed to participate. COGA reportedly initiated the plan, and the governor welcomed it.

American Tradition Institute executive director Paul Chesser was encouraged by Gov. Hickenlooper’s views.

“Certainly there is a sensible balance to be struck between protecting the environment for everyone’s health and the important work of accessing important energy resources, which also enhances everyone’s health and standard of living,” Chesser said. “The governor demonstrated yesterday that he understands cooperation between regulators and industry are necessary, and that distortions and hyperbole are destructive.”

For an interview with American Tradition Institute executive director Paul Chesser, call (202)670-2680 or email [email protected].