Mesa commissioners oppose regulating 'fracking'

GRAND JUNCTION - The Mesa County commissioners have passed a resolution opposing federal regulation of a drilling technique that uses liquids to fracture rocks to release oil and gas.

The resolution, passed Monday, says regulation would raise energy costs and expand the federal bureaucracy.

Democratic Reps. Diana DeGette of Colorado and Maurice Hinchey of New York want to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," under federal drinking water laws.

Critics blame fracking for health and environmental problems in oil and gas fields in the Rockies and elsewhere. The industry insists fracking is clean and crucial to energy development.

Mesa County, like much of the rest of western Colorado, has seen extensive drilling for natural gas.