\non Thursday<\/span> released its proposed update to hydraulic
\nfracturing regulations, which would be the first update in three
\ndecades.<\/p>\n
The proposal would require companies to have a water-management
\nplan for fluids that flow back to the surface. Fracking companies
\nwould be required to prevent toxic chemicals from leaking into
\ngroundwater.<\/p>\n
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the new rules, calling
\nthem an initiative of a pro-energy Obama administration policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the president has made clear, this administration\u2019s
\npriority is to continue to expand safe and responsible domestic
\nenergy production,\u201d<\/i> Jewell said in a BLM press release. \u201cIn
\nline with that goal, we are proposing some commonsense updates that
\nincrease safety while also providing flexibility and facilitating
\ncoordination with states and tribes.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
The 171-page document requires companies to verify that wells
\nare drilled properly so that groundwater does not become
\ncontaminated, submit plans for managing drilling wastewater, and
\ndisclose injected chemicals.<\/p>\n
But environmental groups quickly accused federal officials of
\ncreating weak rules that contain dangerous loopholes that may be a
\nrisk to water supplies across America.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rules protect industry, not people,\u201d<\/i> Natural
\nResources Defense Council president Frances Beinecke told the
\nDenver Post. \u201cThis draft is a blueprint for business-as-usual
\nindustrialization of our landscapes.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
![\"Spencer](\"http:\/\/rt.com\/files\/news\/1f\/1d\/30\/00\/fra-1.jpg\")
<\/i><\/p>\n
The proposed regulations allow fracking companies to keep some
\nof their chemicals exempt from disclosure, calling them \u2018trade
\nsecrets\u2019. Environmentalists have criticized the BLM for this,
\narguing that fracking companies could use dangerous chemicals near
\nlocal communities that could pose an unknown risk, without having
\nto report what they use. They also fail to require an evaluation of
\nthe security of cement barriers in individual wells. Oil and gas
\ncompanies need only to have one of their wells tested for safety,
\nand the government then assumes that the other wells are
\nsimilar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter reviewing the draft rules, we believe the
\nadministration is putting the American public\u2019s health and
\nwell-being at risk, while continuing to give polluters a free
\nride,\u201d<\/i> Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club,
\ntold EcoWatch. \u201cThe draft BLM rules ignore the recommendations
\nof the president\u2019s own shale gas advisory committee, which called
\nfor transparency, full public chemical disclosure, environmental
\nsafeguards, and pollution monitoring.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Environmentalists are particularly concerned about the potential
\ncontamination of drinking water across the US, and have criticized
\nSecretary Jewell for letting them down.<\/p>\n
The federal government last year proposed a set of rules that
\ncalled for full disclosure of fracking chemicals, but these rules
\nwere heavily criticized by Republicans and the fracking industry.
\nBy taking away the provision requiring full disclosure, the rules
\nhave a better chance of going into effect, but they don\u2019t address
\nthe most serious concern held by environmentalists.<\/p>\n
\u201cComparing today\u2019s rule governing fracking on public lands
\nwith the one proposed a year earlier, it is clear what happened:
\nthe Bureau of Land Management caved to the wealthy and powerful oil
\nand gas industry and left the public to fend for itself,\u201d<\/i>
\nJessica Ennis of Earthjustice told EcoWatch.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur public lands \u2014 and the people who live near them \u2014
\ndeserve the highest level of protection,\u201d<\/i> she added.
\n\u201cToday\u2019s rule could have set the gold standard. Instead the BLM
\nis settling for shoddy protections peddled by the oil and gas
\nindustry.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n