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State Oil and Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources

State Oil and Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources

Full Title:  State Oil and Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources
Author(s):  US Department of Energy
Publisher(s):  US Department of Energy
Publication Date: May 1, 2009
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Over the past several years the GWPC has been asked, “Do state oil and gas regulations protect water?” How do their rules apply? Are they adequate? The first step in answering these questions is to evaluate the regulatory frameworks within which programs operate. That is the purpose of this report. State regulation of oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are approved under state laws that typically include a prohibition against causing harm to the environment. This premise is at the heart of the regulatory process. The regulation of oil and gas field activities is managed best at the state level where regional and local conditions are understood and where regulations can be tailored to fit the needs of the local environment. Hence, the experience, knowledge and information necessary to regulate effectively most commonly rests with state regulatory agencies. Many state agencies use programmatic tools and documents to apply state laws including regulations, formal and informal guidance, field rules, and Best Management Practices (BMPs). They are also equipped to conduct field inspections, enforcement/oversight, and witnessing of specific operations like well construction, testing and plugging.

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