Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.
Summary
Bill A00880 aims to prohibit publicly owned treatment works in New York from accepting wastewater generated from the exploration, development, or production of natural gas using high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). This prohibition is intended to safeguard the environment and public health by preventing potentially harmful wastewater from entering treatment facilities that may not be equipped to handle such pollutants. The bill allows for exceptions, permitting treatment works to appeal for an exemption if they can demonstrate a high standard of performance that ensures no discharge of pollutants or the greatest degree of effluent reduction achievable.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the management of wastewater associated with natural gas extraction in New York. It would reinforce existing environmental protections by restricting the types of wastewater that publicly owned treatment works can process. This could lead to increased scrutiny of wastewater management practices and potentially influence the operations of natural gas companies in the state, as they may need to find alternative disposal methods for their wastewater.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill A00880 appears to be cautiously supportive among environmental advocates who view it as a necessary step to protect water quality and public health. However, there may be concerns from industry stakeholders regarding the implications for natural gas operations and wastewater management. The absence of voting history and committee discussions makes it difficult to gauge the full range of opinions on the bill.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise from the balance between environmental protection and the interests of the natural gas industry. Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential for safeguarding the environment, while opponents may contend that it could hinder natural gas development and economic growth. The ability for treatment works to appeal for exemptions could also lead to debates over what constitutes adequate performance standards.
Same As
Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.
Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.
Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.
Protecting American Energy Production Act This bill prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless Congress authorizes the moratorium. The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that states should maintain primacy for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on state and private lands. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the formation.