Hatch Introduces Legislation to Let States Regulate Hydraulic Fracking, Stop Duplicative Federal Regulations

Statement

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today introduced common-sense legislation to protect American jobs and domestic energy production from costly and duplicative regulation from Washington. The Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act (S.1743) would ensure that oil and gas producing states are protected from fracking regulations from Washington if states are already regulating the practice. Duplicative regulations over American energy production will lead to higher energy costs and job losses in an already struggling economy. Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 235 to 187.

"Many states such as Utah are doing the responsible thing and listening to stakeholders and communities around where hydraulic fracturing is taking place and regulating this activity responsibly. The last thing we need is costly and duplicative regulation from Washington on top of what's already in place in Utah," Hatch said. "This bill does nothing to stop the federal government from implement fracking standards in states where none exist -- it simply says that regulations from the federal government cannot trump state action already in place. This bill is an opportunity to stand up for American energy production and protect the jobs that come with it, and I hope the Senate will vote on this bill soon to stand up for American workers and lower energy costs."

Hatch's bill is cosponsored by Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

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