Regulation of fracking

Fracking
Shale gas drilling rig near Alvarado, Texas
Shale gas drilling rig near Alvarado, Texas
Shale gas drilling rig near Alvarado, Texas
By country
Environmental impact
Regulation
Technology
Politics

Countries using or considering to use fracking have implemented different regulations, including developing federal and regional legislation, and local zoning limitations.[1][2] In 2011, after public pressure France became the first nation to ban hydraulic fracturing, based on the precautionary principle as well as the principal of preventive and corrective action of environmental hazards.[3][4][5][6] The ban was upheld by an October 2013 ruling of the Constitutional Council.[7] Some other countries have placed a temporary moratorium on the practice.[8] Countries like the United Kingdom and South Africa, have lifted their bans, choosing to focus on regulation instead of outright prohibition.[9][10] Germany has announced draft regulations that would allow using hydraulic fracturing for the exploitation of shale gas deposits with the exception of wetland areas.[11]

The European Union has adopted a recommendation for minimum principles for using high-volume hydraulic fracturing.[12] Its regulatory regime requires full disclosure of all additives.[13] In the United States, the Ground Water Protection Council launched FracFocus.org, an online voluntary disclosure database for hydraulic fracturing fluids funded by oil and gas trade groups and the U.S. Department of Energy.[14][15] Hydraulic fracturing is excluded from the Safe Drinking Water Act's underground injection control's regulation, except when diesel fuel is used. The EPA assures surveillance of the issuance of drilling permits when diesel fuel is employed.[16]

On 17 December 2014, New York state issued a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, becoming the second state in the United States to issue such a ban after Vermont.[17]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nolon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Negro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bweek 31.03.2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bweek 04.10.2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoZN-1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference moore was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference BakewellSally was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference wcn170912 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference bloomberg260213 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference recommendation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference EU was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference HassBenjamin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference SoraghanMike02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Editorial Board (17 December 2014). "Gov. Cuomo Makes Sense on Fracking". New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2014.