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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

"Right to Know" Fracking Bill Debated Today in MT

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Friday, January 21, 2011   

HELENA, Mont. - A debate on company secrets versus the public's right to know is set for today in the Montana Legislature. A hearing is being held on a proposal that would require oil and gas companies to provide a list of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), in the interest of protecting residents and first-responders at accidents near fracking projects.

Sharon Sweeney Fee, a Livingston nurse, is testifying.

"We want something available, not unlike what we have available on train cars now, so when anybody needs to know - because there has been accident - they can look and see what these people have been exposed to."

There has been industry push-back because some companies consider the chemical mix to be proprietary. They don't want competitors stealing the recipe, which can number hundreds of chemicals. Known ingredients include methanol and formaldehyde. Federally-listed side effects of methanol include nervous and respiratory system problems. Formaldehyde side effects include skin disorders and cancer.

Montana's bill would help protect company secrets. Information would only be available to emergency personnel in the event of an accident, and to homeowners who might encounter ground or water contamination.

Given the rural nature of oil and gas development, Sweeney Fee says it's important that small health care facilities be 'in the know.'

"If there's any release in any of these areas, we need to know. Rural hospitals, rural clinics, really need to have the knowledge to protect themselves and their workers."

Wyoming is already phasing in requirements to disclose ingredients.

The hearing is before the Senate Natural Resources Committee at 3 p.m., Room 303, State Capitol. The Northern Plains Resource Council helped craft the bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Bob Hawks (D-Bozeman).




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