Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2025
Last recorded step: none recorded yet.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would authorize the EPA to regulate fracking to protect groundwater and require disclosure of chemicals used in operations.
What it does
This bill would grant the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations to protect groundwater sources from pollution risks. It proposes new requirements for disclosing the chemical substances intended for and actually used during fracking activities. Additionally, the bill would mandate the disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas or trade secrets to medical professionals and government agencies when necessary for treatment during medical emergencies.
Who is affected
This bill affects hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operators, who would be required to disclose chemicals used in their operations and provide proprietary chemical identities during medical emergencies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies are affected by new authorities to regulate groundwater protection and receive chemical disclosures. Additionally, the bill impacts medical professionals, such as treating physicians and nurses, by granting them access to trade secret chemical information when necessary for emergency medical treatment.
Key provisions
- EPA Authority Over Hydraulic Fracturing. Grants the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations to protect groundwater sources, such as wells, from pollution risks.
- Chemical Disclosure Requirements. Establishes mandates for disclosing both the chemicals intended for use and the chemicals actually utilized during hydraulic fracturing operations.
- Emergency Medical Information Access. Requires the disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas or trade secret identities to state agencies, the EPA, or medical professionals when necessary for treatment during medical emergencies.
- Confidentiality Exceptions for Health Providers. Ensures that treating physicians or nurses can access specific chemical identities upon request during emergencies, regardless of whether confidentiality agreements or written statements of need have been submitted.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill modifies existing federal drinking water requirements to grant the Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate pollution risks to groundwater from hydraulic fracturing operations. It further amends disclosure protocols regarding the use of proprietary chemical formulas and trade secrets in medical emergencies.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to enhance the protection of groundwater sources from pollution risks associated with hydraulic fracturing operations by expanding Environmental Protection Agency authority and establishing chemical disclosure requirements. It also seeks to ensure that medical professionals and regulatory agencies have access to proprietary chemical information when necessary for treating medical emergencies.