Fracking bill passes in the House

5:15 p.m. update

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 Tuesday. Senators are set to hear their version of the legislation Tuesday.

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 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.

Afternoon update

The House voted 82-37 in favor of a bill opposed by some environmental groups creating regulations for fracking to continue in Florida.

The unconventional form of drilling for oil and natural gas is already legal in Florida.

Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero and the bill's sponsor, and other Republicans in the House said the bill (HB 1205) would set up an appropriate regulatory framework, including a permitting process and measures allowing the state to require additional monitoring and testing.

Rodrigues said the legislation also would require disclosure of chemicals used in the process, though critics say a companion bill will allow exemptions for trade secrets.

"There is no disclosure now," Rodrigues said. "This bill creates what will be the most transparent process in the country when it comes to fracturing in this state."

Democrats opposed the bill, saying it would pump dangerous chemicals used in everything from toilet-bowl cleaner to wart removal into the ground, threatening water supplies.

"It is so dangerous -- it is just unbelievable that we're thinking about it," said Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee.

House members temporarily postponed a bill creating public-records exemptions for chemicals used in the process deemed trade secrets.

The bill calls for a moratorium on fracking until the state conducts a study into hydraulic fracturing and goes through the rule-making process, which could take months.

Morning update

Bills opposed by environmental groups that would create a regulatory framework for fracking and free companies from having to disclose chemicals used in the process are set for final votes today on the House floor.

House versions of the bills (HB 1205 and HB 1209), both sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, are scheduled for final votes when the House convenes at 1 p.m.

Supporters of the bills, including oil-and-gas-industry groups, want to boost production after years of steady decline though hydraulic fracturing, an unconventional form of drilling that uses water, chemicals and sand under high pressure to release natural gas trapped in rock formations deep underground.

Opponents say the practice has wrought environmental damage in states where it has occurred and want to see the Legislature impose a ban, though bills doing so have made no headway this session. They say fracking releases harmful, cancer-causing chemicals into the water and air and poses numerous other health and environmental risks.

But proponents say fracking is already allowed in Florida and the legislation would create the proper regulatory framework, requiring specific permitting and allowing for fines.

Senate versions of the bills (SB 1582 and SB 1468), both sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, are set for action Tuesday.

The House and Senate bills on chemical disclosure require a two-thirds majority vote to pass because they involve public-records exemptions. The bills would require companies to disclose to the state chemicals used in fracking but would allow them to keep the information from general public release if they're considered trade secrets.



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