Flooding Brings Floods of Oil

Last month’s widespread and unprecedented flooding in Colorado caused the release of more than 43,000 gallons of oil and more than 18,000 gallons of so-called “produced water” that flows back during the oil and gas development process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

…“We don’t even know the full extent of it,” said [Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)] in a phone interview. He said the state oil and gas commission is “woefully understaffed” and the oil and gas industry “has a self-interest in minimizing the perception of damage.”

Climate Progress