Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act

The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (H.R. 1084, S. 587, dubbed as the FRAC Act) is a legislative proposal in the United States Congress to define hydraulic fracturing as a federally regulated activity under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The proposed act would require the energy industry to disclose the chemical additives used in the hydraulic fracturing fluid. The gas industry opposes the legislation.[1]

The bill was introduced to both houses of the 111th United States Congress on June 9, 2009. The House bill was introduced by representatives Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Maurice Hinchey D-N.Y., and Jared Polis, D-Colo. The Senate version was introduced by senators Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The bill was re-introduced to both houses of the 112th United States Congress on March 15, 2011, by representative Diana DeGette and senator Bob Casey.

Background

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) blames the lack of information about the contents of hydraulic fracturing fluid on the 2005 Energy Policy Act because it exempts hydraulic fracturing from federal water laws.[2] The Act calls for the "chemical constituents (but not the proprietary chemical formulas) used in the fracturing process." Once these constituents are determined the information must be revealed to the public through the Internet. The FRAC Act states that in any case where a physician or the State finds that a medical emergency exists, and that the chemical formulas are needed to treat the ailing individual, the firm must disclose the chemical identity to the State or physician—even if that proprietary formula is a trade-secret chemical. Material Safety Data Sheets, required by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.1200 are developed and made available to first responders and other emergency planning and response officials.

The drilling industry does not agree with this pending policy. They see it as "an additional layer of regulation that is unneeded and cumbersome."[3] The Independent Petroleum Association of America believes that states already sufficiently regulate hydraulic fracturing. Their research suggests that federal regulation could result in the addition of about $100,000 to each new natural gas well.[4] Energy in Depth, a lobbying group, says the new regulation would be an "unnecessary financial burden on a single small-business industry, American oil, and natural gas producers." This group also claims that the FRAC Act could result in half of the United States oil wells and one third of the gas wells being closed. Also, the bill could cause domestic gas production to drop by 245 billion cubic feet per year along with four billion dollars in lost revenue to the federal government.[5] The Environmental Protection Agency claims that the Safe Drinking Water Act is flexible in that it defers regulation of fracturing and drilling to the state. According to an industry-funded study, since most states currently have regulations on fracturing, they would most likely agree with the state's policy and there would not be much change.[4]

Current status

The 111th United States Congress adjourned on January 3, 2011, without taking any significant action on the FRAC Act. The FRAC Act was re-introduced in both houses of the 112th United States Congress. In the Senate, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced S. 587 on March 15, 2011.[6] In the House, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced H.R. 1084 on March 24, 2011.[7] The FRAC Act was reintroduced by Senator Casey to the 113th United States Congress as S. 1135 on Jun 11, 2013[8] and again as S. 785 on March 18, 2015 to the 114th United States Congress[9]

The current version was introduced to the 115th United States Congress by Senator Casey on April 6, 2017 as S. 865[10]. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works where it awaits discussion.

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See also

References
  1. O'Hehir, Andrew. "The FRAC Act under attack - Environment". Salon.com. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  2. Environmental Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing, Hunter Valley Protection Alliance, 2008. Archived October 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Advanced Resources International. Potential Economic and Energy Supply Impacts of Proposals to Modify Federal Environmental Laws Applicable to the U.S. Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industry. Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy. January, 2009.
  4. Lustgarten, Abraham. FRAC Act — Congress Introduces Twin Bills to Control Drilling and Protect Drinking Water. ProPublica. June 9, 2009.
  5. Tronche, John Laurent. "U.S. Representatives Unveil FRAC Act to close 'Halliburton Loophole.'" Fort Worth Business Press. June 9, 2009. www.fwbusiness.com.
  6. H.R. 1084: S. 587: FRAC Act
  7. H.R. 1084: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2011
  8. S. 1135: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2013
  9. S. 785: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2015
  10. S. 865: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2017
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