Revised BLM Rule On Fracking Operations

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a proposed rule to require companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations on public and Indian lands, with appropriate protections for proprietary information. Currently, there is no specific requirement for operators to disclose these chemicals on federal and Indian lands. The proposed rule would require public disclosure of chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing after fracturing operations have been completed.

The draft rule, along with economic analysis and an appendix, also contains two additional, measures, including improving assurances on well-bore integrity to verify that fluids used in wells during fracturing operations are not escaping; and confirming that oil and gas operators have a water management plan in place for handling fracturing fluids that flow back to the surface.

In developing the proposed rule, BLM sought feedback from a wide range of sources, governments, industry, members of the public and other interested stakeholders. BLM began formal tribal consultations in January 2012 with tribal governments about the proposed rule's ongoing development, including outreach, communication and substantive discussions. Consultation with tribal leaders remains ongoing and will continue throughout the rulemaking process.

Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, a 60-day public comment period will begin.

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