Act No. 152 (H.464). Conservation and development; natural gas and oil practices; water resources; hydraulic fracturing

An act relating to hydraulic fracturing wells for natural gas and oil production

This act prohibits any person in the state from engaging in the practice of hydraulic fracturing for oil or natural gas and from collecting, storing, or treating wastewater from hydraulic fracturing. The act prohibits the discharge of waste from hydraulic fracturing into or from a pollution abatement facility in the state. The act requires the secretary of natural resources to report to the general assembly on or before January 15, 2015 with a recommendation on how hydraulic fracturing should be regulated in the state. The act also requires the secretary of natural resources to report to the general assembly on or before January 15, 2016 regarding the safety of hydraulic fracturing, including whether the prohibition on hydraulic fracturing should be repealed. In addition, the act requires the agency of natural resources to amend the rules for discharges to an injection well on or before July 15, 2015.

Effective Date: May 16, 2012