Hydraulic fracturing continues to increase, but regulations have lagged behind the practice. Hydraulic fracturing (sometimes called well stimulation treatment) is used as means to extract and explore underground oil and gas. SB 4 is an attempt by California legislature to regulate and oversee the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” and other well stimulation treatments. SB 4 imposes requirements on oil and gas well operators and suppliers, and involves multiple regulatory state and district agencies such as the Department of Toxic Control Substances (“DTSC”), the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (the “Division”), and the Natural Resources Agency.
Continue Reading Governor Brown Signs SB 4 Regulating Hydraulic Fracturing Well Stimulation Treatments