US senators introduce bill to address duplicative hydraulic fracturing regulations
Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Mike Enzi (R-WY) recently introduced legislation aimed at protecting oil and gas companies in states that adequately regulate hydraulic fracturing from duplicative federal regulations.
“Many states, such as Utah, are doing the right thing and listening to stakeholders and communities around where hydraulic fracturing is taking place and regulating this activity responsibly,” Hatch said. “The last thing we need is costly and duplicative regulation from Washington on top of what’s already in place in Utah—especially when the existing framework has more than proven itself to be effective.”
The bill, titled The Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act, would ensure that federal regulations could not trump state hydraulic fracturing regulations that are already in place.
“Hydraulic fracturing is a principal reason America has created thousands of jobs, increased our energy security, and lowered energy costs for families and businesses,” Barrasso said. “For years, Wyoming and other western states have enforced the country’s most aggressive hydraulic fracturing regulations—regulations that also apply to federal lands within our borders. This bill would ensure that states—not Washington—can continue to lead in this important part of our economy.”
