Responding to the announcement today by Range Resources Corp. that it will disclose the list of chemicals it is using in hydraulic fracturing of gas wells in the Marcellus Shale region in Pa., Trout Unlimited (TU) applauds the energy company for its plan.

"If Range Resources is planning to disclose the chemicals it uses in its drilling operations, there is no reason other companies can't do the same," said Elizabeth Maclin, TU's Vice President for Eastern Conservation. "With thousands of wells being drilled throughout Pennsylvania, knowing what is in fracking fluids is an important step toward protecting the state's natural resources."

"With frequent reports of drilling accidents and mishaps occurring across the country, it's time for Congress to pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act," said Maclin.

The FRAC Act would require companies to disclose the hydraulic fracturing chemicals used in gas development as well as make them comply with provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. If passed, gas companies would have to comply with the regulations in the act that protect underground drinking water sources from potential pollution created by the injection of chemicals into the ground.

Trout Unlimited is the nation's largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.