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API backs state leadership in shale

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The American Petroleum Institute announced support for a Senate bill that would keep authority over shale energy development in state hands.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., introduced the Empower States Act that would keep state governments in charge of regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing, known also as fracking. He said the geology of each state is different.

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"The legislation also recognizes that states have a long record of effectively regulating oil and gas development, including hydraulic fracturing, with good environmental stewardship," he said in a statement.

API President Jack Gerard said Hoeven's legislation recognizes state leadership in resource development.

"The industry supports sensible and effective regulation but an overlay of one-size-fits-all federal regulation or a maze of duplicative regulations from multiple agencies on hydraulic fracturing is unnecessary and counterproductive," he said in a statement.

Critics of the energy policy advocated by U.S. President Barack Obama say his administration is pressing for regulatory roadblocks to domestic energy production.

A boom in shale natural gas exploration in the United States sparked concerns about the safety of techniques used for extraction. Chemicals used in the process may present a risk to the environment.

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