House Republicans are using Energy Department spending legislation to demand substantial industry representation on a federal advisory panel reviewing the controversial natural-gas extraction method called hydraulic fracturing.

By Ben Geman

Report language accompanying the fiscal 2012 spending plan a House committee approved Wednesday calls for changes in the panel advising the Energy Department on the method — dubbed “fracking” — that’s enabling a natural-gas boom but bringing fears of groundwater pollution along with it.

“The committee is concerned that the selected panel members will not adequately represent industry perspectives, and therefore will not foster a spirit of partnership among industry, environmental and governmental parties,” states the report of House Appropriations Committee views.

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