“The oil and gas industry claims that western states regulation of hydraulic fracturing is more than adequate and therefore the proposed BLM fracking rule is duplicative. This is unfortunately not true.
States’ rules vary widely on very important issues like the construction of well casings that protect aquifers through which oil and gas wells are drilled. Even when rules are in place, studies have shown that these rules are very often not enforced, and wells are not inspected. The best states only inspect 50% of their active wells each year.
The BLM fracking rule simply creates a minimum standard, a basic level of protection for our public lands and the communities and ecosystems that rely upon them. Far from duplicative, this rule is needed, and should be strengthened. Lands owned by all Americans should be governed by one standard for all Americans.”