[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   PROTECTING STATES' RIGHTS TO PROMOTE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT

  Mr. HATCH. Finally, Mr. President, I would also like to briefly talk 
about legislation I introduced earlier this year, the Protecting 
States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act, which 
reinforces States' already effective regulatory practices relating to 
hydraulic fracturing.
  This important piece of legislation recognizes States' demonstrated 
ability to properly address hydraulic fracturing and allows them to 
continue regulating on this issue. Importantly, this legislation does 
not prevent the Bureau of Land Management from promulgating baseline 
standards where none exist.
  As background, for over 60 years, States have safely and successfully 
regulated hydraulic fracturing in a way that protects the environment. 
When I was in the oil business back in the early 1970s, hydraulic 
fracturing was being used then, although it has been brought clearly 
into a much more safe and responsible way since. Even the Obama 
administration has admitted there has never been an example of harm to 
human health or groundwater contamination caused by hydraulic 
fracturing under existing State regulations and oversight.
  States should be able to continue to regulate hydraulic fracturing, 
and swift passage of this bill will afford needed certainty and future 
security for emerging U.S. energy development companies.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Ernst). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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