DOI releases update to fracking regulation on Indian lands

Thursday, May 16, 2013  

The Interior Department today released a new draft of its regulation to cover hydraulic fracturing, a controversial energy-processing technique that's commonly known as fracking.

The regulation applies to fracking on federal and Indian lands. "It's good for the public, it's good for the industry and that's why we're doing this," Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said on a conference call.

Some tribes have criticized the effort because they say federal law does not authorize DOI to regulate fracking on Indian lands. They also say they weren't consulted about the proposed change.

H.R.1548, the Native American Energy Act, bars DOI from regulating fracking on Indian lands without the "express consent" of the tribe or the individual Indian owner. The Obama administration opposes the bill, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said at at hearing on April 26.

The draft rule will be open to 30 days of public comment. Audio of the conference call can be found below:

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