Fight Over Proposed Federal Fracking Rules Flares Up

A voluminous file of public comments shows how high the stakes are for President Barack Obama's Interior Department as it prepares to decide the fate of proposed rules for hydraulic fracturing on federal lands.

Mr. Obama, who has said he supports greater production of natural gas along with environmental protections, is navigating between industry groups that oppose any federal regulation of fracking and some environmental groups that want to ban the practice.