Contrary to a headline in the Los Angeles Times this morning – “The state proposes fracking regulations that would require greater disclosure” – the official announcement from Sacramento says the opposite.
As noted below, DOGGR, the state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources calls the preliminary fracking document that Gov. Brown issued yesterday a “discussion draft.”
While millions of activists are panting anxiously to learn where the state will come down on this creative – possibly perilous – form of oil drilling, the state issues a list of potential rules and hurriedly adds that this is just the warmup stage.
Nothing is written down yet, and won’t be, until after a months’ long (?) series of community meetings and upper echelon meetings are staged.
The We Still Are Just Pretending version of possible rules would force drilling companies to reveal all of the chemicals they are using in fracking and where the wells are.
“I am glad this issue is getting attention from the governor,” City Councilperson Meghan Sahli-Wells, the community’s leading advocate for snug fracking rules, said this afternoon. “This is of utmost importance for the state. “ Until she thoroughly studies the next closely, Ms. Sahli-Wells said she would withhold judgment.
Here is the announcement of the “Discussion draft” that DOGGR issued:
The Dept. of Conservation/Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources has released a “discussion draft” of regulations for the oil and natural gas production technique known as hydraulic fracturing – or fracking.
What does “discussion draft” mean?
This version does not kick off the formal rulemaking process. Instead, it is a starting point for discussion by key stakeholders – industry, the environmental community, other regulators, as well as interested members of the public – in preparation for the more formal process, which probably will begin in earlyin the new year.
These discussion draft regulations include provisions for pre-fracturing well testing; advance notification; monitoring during and after fracturing operations; disclosure of materials used in fracturing fluid; trade secrets; and storage and handling of hydraulic fracturing fluids. Announcements about upcoming public meetings regarding the “discussion draft” regulations are upcoming.
Additional information is available at the following links:
• Text of the “discussion draft” of regulations
• Narrative/background about the development of the “discussion draft” regulations
• Frequently-asked questions
• http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/general_information/Pages/HydraulicFracturing.aspx
• Members of the public who wish to comment about the “discussion draft” of regulations are invited to email comments@conservation.ca.gov
• If you wish to subscribe to a mailing list for information about the ongoing process of developing hydraulic fracturing regulations, click here.
