Fracking Ban Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Feb 12, 2020)
Fracking Ban Act
This bill phases out hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas. 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 geological formation.
The bill prohibits federal agencies from issuing permits for the expansion of fracking or fracked oil and natural gas infrastructure, including infrastructure intended to extract, transport, or burn natural gas or oil.
In addition, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a survey of all oil and natural gas wells to identify the wells where fracking is, or has been, used. The survey must include a variety of data, including data on the proximity of fracking operations to inhabited structures (e.g., homes or schools).
Beginning on February 1, 2021, the bill revokes permits for wells where fracking is, or has been, used within 2,500 feet of inhabited structures. The bill bans all fracking on onshore and offshore land by 2025.
Finally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a Just Transition Committee to make recommendations on ensuring the health and safety of individuals residing in, and the prosperity of, natural gas- and oil-producing regions during the phaseout of fracking.
What just happenedFeb 21, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseFeb 12, 2020
- Feb 21, 2020Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee - Feb 12, 2020IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Energy and Commerce Committee - Feb 12, 2020IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Natural Resources Committee - Feb 12, 2020IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Feb 12, 2020IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House