Press Releases

Congressman Jared Polis, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, commends the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for releasing its updated draft rules for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) on public lands. Millions of acres of America’s public lands are used for oil and gas development and approximately 90 percent of wells use hydraulic fracturing. These rules have been highly anticipated by Members of Congress as well as environmental advocates. Congressman Polis signed a letter earlier this month to the BLM asking for a swift determination and stronger protections.

“By continuing to push this rule, the BLM has acknowledged that fracking operations are directly impacting communities across the country, including those in my district,” said Rep. Polis. “While there is a great deal of room for improvement, the BLM’s efforts to increase its oversight of natural gas extraction on public lands is a step forward. In particular, the well casing requirements will reduce instances of gas leaks in groundwater and will better protect our precious water resources from contamination from fracking fluids. As a lead sponsor of the FRAC Act, I have long advocated for greater disclosure requirements and I hope that the BLM ultimately advances a rule that better mandates such requirements so citizens will know what chemicals are in their water. While this rule is a step in the right direction, I will be working to ensure my constituents’ voices are heard as the BLM begins its 30-day public comment process on this rule.”

You can find the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) updated draft rules for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) on public lands here. Since the BLM’s rules have not been updated for over 30 years, its current rules do not address environmental concerns resulting from modern fracking methods. The updated draft proposal addresses chemical disclosure, well casing integrity, and water management plans for flow back water.