Environmental and citizen groups in one state proposed numerous changes, including lowering the threshold water use, extending public comment periods, prohibiting chemicals such as diesel fuel in fracking fluids and extending the proximity protection for drilling near homes from 200 feet to 1000 feet.
Event: Unfriendly State Regulations Proposed
Effects: If unopposed, have a 20% chance of passing, greatly increasing time to drill, decreasing drill efficiency, reducing drill intensity, potentially stopping fracking in that state.
Results: Lobbying action required at level 2.
Notes: Local state boards are relatively easy to persuade to not only stop this event but turn it into friendly rules instead.
Link: http://appvoices.org/2012/10/19/wildlife-center-sues-for-survival-bad-fracking-rules-for-tenn-other-shorts/
Bad Fracking Rules For Tennessee
New fracking rules in the Volunteer State will have little to no effect on the state’s emerging natural gas drilling operations, the Tennessee Clean Water Network says. According to the new Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation rules, the public will be notified of new fracking only if the operation’s water use will exceed 200,000 gallons more more, although no current or proposed fracking sites are close to meeting that threshold. Prior to TDEC’s finalization of the rules, environmental and citizen groups proposed numerous changes, including lowering the threshold water use, extending public comment periods, prohibiting chemicals such as diesel fuel in fracking fluids and extending the proximity protection for drilling near homes from 200 feet to 1000 feet. TDEC rejected the citizens’ proposal, and passed the new rules at the Oil and Gas Board meeting on Sept. 28. For more information, visit: tcwn.org/frack.