summary
Introduced
01/10/2019
01/10/2019
In Committee
02/07/2019
02/07/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To re-establish certain hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rules, standards for well construction, and waste management rules, and for other purposes. This bill establishes requirements governing oil or gas operations, such as hydraulic fracturing operations. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation. Specifically, the bill eliminates certain exemptions for oil or gas operations from environmental requirements, including requirements concerning stormwater runoff, hazardous air pollutants, solid waste disposal, and drinking water sources. The bill also revises drinking water requirements to require hydraulic fracturing operations to disclose the chemicals they use in underground injections. In addition, the bill requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to issue regulations governing the use of hydraulic fracturing under oil and gas leases for federal lands. Until the BLM issues those regulations, the bill reestablishes the requirements of the repealed rule titled “Oil and Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing on Federal and Indian Land." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must issue a rule that adds hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants. The EPA must also publish a list of categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells. Finally, the bill requires the EPA to issue regulations for solid waste associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal energy if the EPA determines that the wastes are hazardous.
AI Summary
This bill, the Fracking Disclosure and Safety Act, aims to re-establish certain rules and regulations governing hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") operations. Specifically, it:
1. Requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to issue regulations governing the use of hydraulic fracturing on federal lands, including requirements for baseline water testing and public disclosure of the chemicals used.
2. Closes various loopholes by eliminating exemptions for oil and gas operations from certain environmental requirements, such as those related to stormwater runoff, hazardous air pollutants, and solid waste disposal.
3. Mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants and to regulate categories and subcategories of major and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.
4. Requires the EPA to determine whether drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or geothermal energy are hazardous waste, and if so, to regulate them accordingly under the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry
Sponsors (7)
Darren Soto (D)*,
Gwen Moore (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Donald Payne (D),
Mike Quigley (D),
Jamie Raskin (D),
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. (on 02/07/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/436/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr436/BILLS-116hr436ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr436/BILLS-116hr436ih.pdf.pdf |
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