By Kevin A. Fritz and Craig B. Simonsen

The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB)’s FracFocus 2.0 database houses information collected from Federal and State regulatory agencies required as part of their regulatory requirements to disclose the composition and quantities of fracturing fluids that are injected into unconventional oil and gas wells.

In 2013, Secretary of Energy Moniz charged SEAB
Continue Reading Federal Energy Advisory Board Seeks Comment on Draft “FracFocus” Report

By Patrick D. Joyce, Philip L. Comella, and William R. Schubert

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General, in a February 5, 2014 memorandum, stated that it intends to evaluate how federal and state regulation of the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industry has protected water resources and managed potential threats. “EPA’s Oversight of Hydraulic Fracturing Impact on

Continue Reading EPA Eyes Potential Impact of Fracking on Water Resources

By Patrick D. Joyce, Philip L. Comella, and William R. Schubert

Illinois and California, two states that passed major pieces of legislation governing hydraulic fracturing (fracking) earlier this year, have just released drafts of the regulations that will implement their new laws.

What are the major issues?  While the two States’ schemes are not identical (please see our previous
Continue Reading Draft Fracking Regs Are Out In Illinois and California

Andrew H. Perellis and William R. Schubert

The Illinois General Assembly passed and Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a highly-publicized bill overhauling the regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Public Act 098-0022, Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. The new Illinois scheme will be among the most stringent and comprehensive in the Country, and a likely model for other States seeking
Continue Reading Illinois Enacts Stringent Fracking Legislation

By Jeryl L. Olson

On February 16, 2012 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released three general permits for stormwater discharges from construction sites that will be in effect in states where EPA has primary authority over the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program:  Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories and

Continue Reading Stormwater Permits Update – Construction Sites