Fracking bill clears House
A bill passed Monday in the House would allow fracking to continue in Florida, though it would put a moratorium in place until a study and agency rule-making is done.
The bill (HB 1205) passed 82-37. House members temporarily postponed companion legislation (HB 1209) allowing exemptions in public-records laws for chemicals used in the controversial process, though they're scheduled to take it up again today. Senators are set to hear their version of the legislation today.
Republican House members supporting the bill argued fracking is already legal in Florida and the legislation would create a regulatory framework for it to continue appropriately and safely. They also said it would boost domestic production of natural gas and reduce the need for foreign supplies.
"I like the outdoors," said Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City. "I like conservation. But let me tell you another thing — I like electricity. I like lights and air-conditioning and television. I like gasoline to put in my truck to come up here to visit with all my friends, all of you in here."
But Democrats asserted the practice would pose health risks and unleash environmental damage, pumping dangerous chemicals used in everything from toilet cleaners to wart removers into the ground. Beyond risking ground-water supplies and potentially causing earthquakes, fracking would jeopardize Florida's tourism-based economy, they said.
"Are people really going to want to come see fracking wells?" asked Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach. "Are people really going to want to see pipelines crisscrossing? Do we (see) opening up of the 'Fantastical World of Fracking' at Epcot next year?"
Hydraulic and acid fracturing, also known as fracking, is an unconventional form of drilling that uses water or acid and chemicals under high pressure to release natural gas trapped in rock formations deep underground, beneath the aquifer.
Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero and the sponsor of the House bills, said the legislation will require companies to get permits up front for fracturing — right now they only have to submit notices to the state.
Rodrigues said the state would be allowed to deny permits based on past violations and issue them with certain conditions, including increased monitoring and inspection. He also said companies would have to disclose chemicals used in the process to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
"There is no disclosure now," he said. "This bill creates what will be the most transparent process in the country when it comes to fracturing in this state."
Under the legislation, well operators and owners would be required to disclose chemical ingredients and concentrations used during fracking to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The department, in turn, would be required to report the information to the national chemical registry, FracFocus.
But opponents say drillers wouldn't have to report the chemicals until after they began fracking — the bill says disclosure must occur within 60 days. And they say companion bills would allow companies to keep from general public disclosure chemicals considered trade secrets.
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, called for an outright ban on fracking, something that has gotten no traction this legislation session.
"It is so dangerous — it is just unbelievable that we're thinking about it," she said.
Members amended the House bill last week to mirror the Senate bill requiring a moratorium on fracking until after the state conducts a peer-reviewed study and rule-making. The study, funded through a $1-million general-revenue appropriation and due June 30, 2016, would examine the impact fracking might have on geological features and water supplies, including the potential for contamination.