The FRESH Act shifts control of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) regulations from the federal government to individual states. Right now, fracking—the process of injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the ground to extract oil and gas—is regulated at multiple levels. This bill says that states get to make all the rules about fracking within their borders, including what permits companies need and what safety or environmental standards they must follow. Even when fracking happens on federal land (like national forests or public lands owned by the government), companies would have to follow the state's rules instead of federal rules. Essentially, this gives states complete control over how the fracking industry operates within their boundaries, removing federal oversight from the equation.

FRESH Act

Mullin, Markwayne

Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act or the FRESH Act This bill gives states the sole authority to promulgate or enforce any regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing on or under any land within their boundaries. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation. Hydraulic fracturing on federal land must comply with the law of the state in which the land is located.