CS for SB 1468 - Oil and Gas Regulation Summary

• Defines "high pressure well stimulation" as injecting more than 100,000 gallons of fluids into rock formations at high pressure to fracture formations and increase oil or gas production, requiring permits before any such activity can be performed.

• Prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection from approving high pressure well stimulation permits until rulemaking is complete and establishes criteria for permit issuance including groundwater protection and consistency with state public policy.

• Designates FracFocus (national chemical disclosure registry) as Florida's official registry and requires operators to report high pressure well stimulation chemicals and operational details within 60 days of initiation.

• Increases maximum civil penalties for violations from $10,000 to $25,000 per offense and requires applicants to provide surety demonstrating safe and environmentally compatible operations.

• Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on high pressure well stimulations by June 30, 2016, evaluating geologic features, water resource impacts, groundwater contamination risks, and fluid disposition, with $1 million appropriated for fiscal year 2015-2016.