Post by Logan on Jan 27, 2016 22:04:58 GMT -6
TALLAHASSEE — After rejecting efforts to require the oil and gas industry to disclose carcinogens and monitor the effects of fracking on pregnant women and drinking water, the Florida House on Wednesday passed a bill to open the door to the high-pressure drilling technique.
The measure, HB 191, allows the state to regulate and authorize the pumping of large volumes of water, sand and chemicals into the ground using high pressure to recover oil and gas deposits. It passed by a 73-45 vote with seven Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the measure.
The bill bans the practice until state environmental regulators complete a study in 2017 to determine what potential impact the operations will have on the state's geology and fragile water supply but also prohibits local governments from imposing their own bans or regulations.
The study will then be used to inform regulations by Department of Environmental Protection and the proposed rules must come back for legislative approval.
Read more: www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-house-approves-bill-to-authorize-regulate-fracking/2263095
The measure, HB 191, allows the state to regulate and authorize the pumping of large volumes of water, sand and chemicals into the ground using high pressure to recover oil and gas deposits. It passed by a 73-45 vote with seven Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the measure.
The bill bans the practice until state environmental regulators complete a study in 2017 to determine what potential impact the operations will have on the state's geology and fragile water supply but also prohibits local governments from imposing their own bans or regulations.
The study will then be used to inform regulations by Department of Environmental Protection and the proposed rules must come back for legislative approval.
Read more: www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-house-approves-bill-to-authorize-regulate-fracking/2263095