California Bill to Regulate Hydraulic Fracturing Clears Legislature

Fracking is when energy companies pump pressurized water and chemicals into oil wells to maximize output. Proponents say the measure gives much needed oversight to an under-regulated industry.

“Senate Bill 4 requires full disclosure about the chemicals used,” says Democratic Assembly member Adam Gray, who co-authored the bill. “The source and the amount of water and what happens with the flow back fluids. SB4 requires groundwater monitoring where wells are being stimulated.”

Support from leading environmental groups had fallen away from the latest version as a moratorium on the practice to allow for further study on its impacts were amended out. The oil industry and other critics have opposed the measure as an unnecessary burden on business operations.