By KRWG News
Texas – The Texas Railroad Commission has approved publication of a draft rule that would implement the nation's first law forcing natural gas drillers to disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.
Gas drillers have kept under wraps the mix of water, sand and chemicals they use to extract once out-of-reach minerals from shale formations.
The hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and horizontal drilling techniques were developed in Texas.
Texas was the first state to pass such a law when Perry signed the bill in June. The commission approved publication in the Texas Register Monday. Public comment will run until Oct. 11. A public hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress in Austin.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.