Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the Department of the Interior from enforcing federal regulations on hydraulic fracturing if a state has hydraulic fracturing regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Department of the Interior from enforcing federal regulations of oil, gas, or geothermal hydraulic fracturing activities if a state has regulations, guidance or permit requirements for the hydraulic fracturing activity (Sec. 102).

• Prohibits the Department of the Interior from enforcing federal regulations of oil, gas, or geothermal hydraulic fracturing activities on Indian land that is held in trust or restricted status (Sec. 104).

• Requires the Department of the Interior to defer to state regulations, permitting, and guidance of oil, gas, or geothermal hydraulic fracturing activities on federal land (Sec. 102).

• Requires a state with regulations that apply to hydraulic fracturing on federal land or the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing on federal land to submit a copy of the regulations to the Bureau of Land Management (Sec. 102).

• Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study examining the “economic benefits” of domestic shale oil and gas production resulting from hydraulic fracturing including identification of the following (Sec. 103):
• The state and federal revenue generated;
• The jobs created both directly and indirectly; and
• The estimate of potential energy prices without domestic shale oil and gas production.

• Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources to meet certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 202):
• The report must be reviewed by peers;
• The report must include estimates of the probability, uncertainty, and consequence of each impact that takes into account the risk management practices of states and industry; and
• The report must be released publicly by September 30, 2016.

• Requires the Secretary of the Interior to annually review and report to Congress on all state activities regarding hydraulic fracturing (Sec. 301).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text