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 S02415 prohibits publicly owned treatment works in New York from accepting wastewater associated with natural gas exploration and production that utilizes high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). The bill defines HVHF as any hydraulic fracturing process that uses more than 300,000 gallons of water, regardless of the drilling method employed. The legislation allows publicly owned treatment works to appeal for an exemption if they can demonstrate that their processes will prevent pollutant discharge or achieve the highest possible effluent reduction through advanced control technologies.
Impact
The passage of this bill will significantly impact the regulation of wastewater treatment in New York, particularly in relation to natural gas extraction activities. It effectively restricts the disposal of wastewater from HVHF in publicly owned treatment facilities unless stringent performance standards are met. This could lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of wastewater management practices in the state, potentially affecting natural gas production operations and environmental protection efforts.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill S02415 appears to be cautiously supportive, as evidenced by the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee's vote of 7 in favor and 2 against. This indicates a general agreement on the need for stricter regulations regarding wastewater treatment associated with HVHF, although there may be some concerns among stakeholders about the implications for natural gas operations.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the balance between environmental protection and the economic interests of the natural gas industry. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to safeguard water resources and public health from the risks associated with HVHF wastewater. Conversely, opponents may express concerns about the potential negative impact on natural gas production and the economic implications for regions dependent on this industry.
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.