Bill > S457

This bill establishes a moratorium, or temporary ban, on hydraulic fracturing, a process where fluid is pumped underground to create fractures in rock for oil and gas extraction, in Massachusetts from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2026. It also prohibits the collection, storage, treatment, or disposal of any wastewater, solids, or byproducts resulting from hydraulic fracturing within the commonwealth during this period. The bill amends existing laws to define "fluid" broadly to include any flowing substance, and specifically adds "hydraulic fracturing fluid" to the definition of a "pollutant," thereby strengthening environmental protections related to this practice. Furthermore, it grants the state the authority to enforce prohibitions on activities that could harm water quality and natural resources, including those related to drilling and waste disposal.