Legislation Search

H.R. 6082: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2025, seeks to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act in a few significant ways regarding hydraulic fracturing (often referred to as "fracking"). Here is a summary of the key provisions and changes the bill proposes:

Repeal of Hydraulic Fracturing Exemption

The bill aims to repeal the existing exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the regulations outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. This means that hydraulic fracturing operations related to the production of oil, gas, or geothermal energy will be subject to the same regulatory framework as other forms of underground injection of fluids, ensuring that these activities are more closely monitored for environmental safety.

Disclosure Requirements

The bill introduces new disclosure requirements for companies conducting hydraulic fracturing. It mandates:

Pre-operation Disclosure: Companies must provide a list of chemicals they plan to use during hydraulic fracturing operations to the state authorities prior to starting any operations.
Post-operation Disclosure: Within 30 days after the completion of the hydraulic fracturing operations, the companies must submit a detailed report of the chemicals actually used, including specific chemical identities, their concentrations, and safety data sheets when available.

Public Availability of Information

Furthermore, the states or the designated environmental authorities are required to make the disclosed chemical information publicly available. This will allow the public to access and be informed about the substances used in hydraulic fracturing, contributing to transparency in operations that could affect safe drinking water and environmental safety.

Medical Emergencies

The bill includes provisions that address medical emergencies. If a healthcare provider requires information about the specific chemical compounds used in fracking for medical treatment, the company conducting the operation must provide the information immediately upon request. While the company can later request a written need and a confidentiality agreement, this measure ensures that health professionals have access to critical information during emergencies.

Limiting Disclosure of Proprietary Information

While promoting transparency, the bill also recognizes the need to protect proprietary information. It specifies that the required disclosures to state authorities regarding chemical formulas do not permit the public disclosure of proprietary chemical compositions, balancing accountability and business confidentiality.

Objectives of the Bill

The overarching goals of this legislation are to enhance the regulation of hydraulic fracturing activities, protect drinking water resources, and ensure that both the public and regulators are informed about the chemicals used in these operations.