California’s Proposed Fracking Moratorium Bill Set for Hearing on August 13

On Monday, August 13, California’s Senate Appropriations Committee will conduct a further hearing on AB 972, a bill that would create a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” pending adoption of regulations by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and its Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources (DOG).

As we previously reported here on the blog, Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, who represents California’s 53rd District (encompassing several of Southern California’s beach cities), introduced AB 972 in June 2012. The legislation would amend California’s Public Resources Code by, among other things, adding new section 3203.5. That section would prevent the DOG from approving or issuing a permit authorizing the drilling of a well if fracking is used or proposed to be used until regulations governing fracking have been adopted. The DOC and DOG are currently in the process of developing such regulations, having recently completed a series of public workshops around the state to gather public input before beginning the rulemaking process.

The August 13 hearing was originally scheduled for August 6 but continued at Assemblywoman Butler’s request due to a scheduling conflict. The hearing is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. in the John L. Burton Hearing Room, Room 4203, located at the State Capitol building in Sacramento. The meeting agenda is available here. Audio of the hearing will be broadcast over the internet (link opens audio player).

AB 972 has already survived two votes in the legislature. On June 26, the Natural Resources and Water Committee (NRWC) passed the bill on a 5-3 vote and referred it to the Committee on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The CEQ then passed the bill on July 2 on a 5-2 vote, referring it to the Appropriations Committee.

For more information regarding California fracking issues, please contact Eric Adair. Follow Eric on Twitter: Follow @kericadair.

Related stories:

• PPIC Study Evaluates Californians’ Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Fracking
• California Department of Conservation Conducts Final Fracking Workshop in Preparation for Rulemaking Process
• HGA Attorney Eric Adair Featured in Pacific Coast Business Times Story on Fracking
• Final California Fracking Workshop Scheduled for July 25 in Sacramento
• Bureau of Land Management Extends Public Comment Period for Federal Fracking Rule
• California Legislator Proposes Fracking Moratorium
• California Department of Conservation to Conduct Second Fracking Workshop in Ventura
• California Department of Conservation to Conduct Fracking Workshops
• Interior Releases Draft Fracking Rule

Tagged → AB 972, Betsy Butler, Department of Conservation, Division of Oil and Gas, Fracking, Hydraulic fracturing