A working group of U.S. drilling states, seismologists, academics and industry experts has issued guidance to state regulators for handling human-induced earthquakes caused by hydraulic fracturing or the disposal of fracking wastewater.
The StatesFirst initiative’s 150-page report was released Monday. It represents perhaps the most candid discussion on the topic since tremors across the mid-continent were first linked to fracking-related activity around 2009.
But it stops short of suggesting model regulations.
Ohio Oil & Gas Chief Rick Simmers, who co-chaired the effort, tells The Associated Press that’s because each state’s regulatory framework, laws and geography are unique.
He described the report as a primer, providing states with up-to-date scientific and technical data, case studies and several suggested approaches for detecting and managing quakes potentially tied to human activity.
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