The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on July 3rd advanced a bill (AB 972) that would prohibit the State Oil and Gas Supervisor from approving the drilling of a fracking well until the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) adopts fracking regulations. Existing law requires a well operator to obtain approval before commencing drilling. The bill would require the operator to indicate in a request for approval whether fracking “will be used or is planned to be used in completing the well.” If the operator so indicates, the bill would prevent the approval of drilling until DOGGR fracking regulations are adopted and in effect. The bill would also define “hydraulic fracturing,” “hydraulic fracturing fluid” and “proppants.”
After the summer recess, the bill is schedule to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 6.
Co-Authored by Michael N. Mills and Robin B. Seifried.