U.S. Department of Interior Releases Revised Fracking Guidance

The Department of Interior recently issued a revised proposed rule to address hydraulic fracturing on public and Indian lands. The rule updates an earlier iteration that the department released in 2012.

According to the department, the new guidance addresses “the array of tools operators may use to show that water is being protected, and provides more guidance on trade secret disclosure, while providing additional flexibility for meeting these objectives.” The new document maintains the primary components of the earlier rule – the disclosure of chemicals used in fracking activities, assurances that groundwater is being protected, and the existence of a management plan for fluids returning to the surface.

This revised rule is subject to a 30-day comment period. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to share their comments.