ANGA Comments on Another Flawed New York Times Story on Natural Gas Development

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by America's Natural Gas Alliance Vice President of Strategic Communications Dan Whitten on the latest flawed New York Times story on natural gas development:

"Even with its own public editor twice rebuking the paper for using flawed information and failing to provide proper context, The New York Times has once again published a piece in which the reporter relied on outdated information and questionable assumptions and conclusions to create a narrative that casts the natural gas community in a negative light.

"This latest piece, aimed at discrediting the practice of hydraulic fracturing, was based on a 1987 report by the Environmental Protection Agency before current drilling practices were in place, and relies on a single isolated incident in West Virginia. In fact, even the Environmental Working Group, which claimed credit for uncovering the EPA study, has stated that they did not find conclusive evidence that this case was a result of hydraulic fracturing.

"Dramatic enhancements in hydraulic fracturing, paired with horizontal drilling, have made it possible to reach natural gas supplies that were never before accessible, using far fewer wells. Safety innovations, such as the lining of the wells with multiple layers of steel encased in cement to protect fresh water supplies, advances in mapping underground water flows and pressure testing of wells before initiating the hydraulic fracturing process all have improved the safety and reliability of natural gas production.

"All forms of energy development come with some risk. The issue is whether those risks are appropriately managed. ANGA members are committed to protecting our nation's air, land and water while safely and responsibly developing this abundant domestic resource.  The vast resources we have in America make it possible for us to advance our economic and environmental goals together.

"We once again call upon those within the news division of The New York Times to listen to the words of their own public editor."

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 30 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us.

SOURCE America's Natural Gas Alliance