Bill > HB5367

This bill, amending Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, introduces new requirements for hydraulic fracturing operations, a process used to extract oil and gas by injecting fluid under pressure to create fractures in underground rock formations. Specifically, it mandates that before a permit is issued for a well using hydraulic fracturing, the applicant must provide detailed information to the state, including the type and volume of base fluid (like water or nitrogen) used, the trade name and supplier of any additives (substances added to the base fluid, such as sand, known as proppants, or chemicals to prevent corrosion), the purpose of each additive, a list of all chemical ingredients within those additives along with their unique Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers, their concentrations, and associated material safety data sheets. Applicants must also evaluate alternative methods with lower environmental risks and identify any hydraulic fracturing fluid tracers, which are substances used to track groundwater flow. This information will be posted online for at least 60 days for public review and comment before a decision is made, and the department must disapprove proposals if a safer, feasible alternative exists. Furthermore, permit holders must annually submit a "master list" of all chemical ingredients and their CAS numbers used in hydraulic fracturing operations, along with a report detailing the total quantity of each ingredient used, which the department will then compile and make publicly available. In cases of medical emergencies or upon written request with a stated need, information about additives and chemical ingredients must be provided to health professionals for diagnostic or treatment purposes.