HB 1085 Summary

• Defines hydraulic fracturing as the process of injecting specially blended liquids and propping agents under high pressure to create fractures in underground formations, including source water acquisition, well construction, stimulation, and waste disposal, but excluding natural gas storage injection.

• Requires the natural resources commission to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations to prevent waste, fresh water pollution, blowouts, cavings, seepages, fires, and detrimental effects on fish, wildlife, and botanical resources.

• Mandates operators intending to perform hydraulic fracturing to submit an environmental compliance plan to the department of natural resources for approval before proceeding, including well location, injection fluids, chemical constituents, geographic analysis, and assessment of potential water or land pollution.

• Requires the department to approve or disapprove environmental compliance plans within 60 days and publish approved plans on its website; protects proprietary formulas and trade secrets from disclosure except in medical emergencies when necessary for patient care.

• Directs the department to adopt rules implementing these requirements by December 31, 2014, and authorizes emergency rules to be adopted and expire no later than December 31, 2014; effective July 1, 2012.