Bill

Bill > HR5857


US HR5857

US HR5857
Fracking Ban Act


summary

Introduced
02/12/2020
In Committee
02/21/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

To ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing, and for other purposes. This bill phases out hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas. 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. The bill prohibits federal agencies from issuing permits for the expansion of fracking or fracked oil and natural gas infrastructure, including infrastructure intended to extract, transport, or burn natural gas or oil. In addition, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a survey of all oil and natural gas wells to identify the wells where fracking is, or has been, used. The survey must include a variety of data, including data on the proximity of fracking operations to inhabited structures (e.g., homes or schools). Beginning on February 1, 2021, the bill revokes permits for wells where fracking is, or has been, used within 2,500 feet of inhabited structures. The bill bans all fracking on onshore and offshore land by 2025. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a Just Transition Committee to make recommendations on ensuring the health and safety of individuals residing in, and the prosperity of, natural gas- and oil-producing regions during the phaseout of fracking.

AI Summary

This bill, the Fracking Ban Act, seeks to phase out the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for oil and natural gas in the United States. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Prohibiting federal agencies from issuing permits for the expansion of fracking or fracked oil and natural gas infrastructure. 2. Requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a nationwide survey of oil and natural gas wells to identify those where fracking has been used, including data on their proximity to inhabited structures. 3. Revoking federal operating permits for wells located within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, or other inhabited structures, effective February 1, 2021. 4. Establishing a Just Transition Committee to make recommendations on ensuring the health, safety, and prosperity of individuals and communities in natural gas- and oil-producing regions during the phaseout of fracking. 5. Banning all fracking on onshore and offshore land in the United States, beginning on January 1, 2025. The bill cites numerous scientific findings on the negative impacts of fracking, including risks to drinking water, air pollution, contribution to climate change, and adverse health effects on nearby communities. The bill aims to transition the United States towards renewable energy sources and provide a just transition for fossil fuel workers and affected communities.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (22)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. (on 02/21/2020)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...