The law in question goes on to address the surmounting national concern regarding the effects of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” on the environment and the communities of the land. It has to be taken into consideration that hydraulic fracturing is quite a risky venture and is controversial to a large extent. In this process, the well simulation treatment is used to increase the oil and gas production. According to the SB4, the California Division of Oil Gas and Geothermal Resources has been directed to undertake elaborate regulations for hydraulic fracturing. Additional regulators have to be consulted which include fracking fluid chemical disclosure and public notice of planned fracking activities.
Senator Fran Pavley went on to announce many important amendments to the bill to regulate the practice of fracking or hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas within the boundaries of the land. These changes were ignited by the massive input from the people and the stakeholders. The other states’ policies were also analyzed and that too aided in the amendments. State agencies, environment groups and the industry were all included in the hearing prior to the finalization of the amendments to the bill.
This inclusive introspection led to the decision that the public has the right to know about the procedure of fracking and this reflection is seen in the legislation of the Senate Bill 4. The bill now compels the companies to apply and obtain permit from the state to frack. The companies have to notify the neighboring property owners 30 days before the inception of the work in the area. It is also now a matter of law to disclose to the state authorities all the chemicals that is to be used in the process in any particular location. However, the bill does allow the industry to claim trade secret protection under certain circumstances for chemicals.
Senator Pavley opines that a national consensus is emerging so that the people can be assured about the basic things in regard to fracking operations. The law is the advancement in this avenue and endeavors to bring into reckoning the issue of transparency and accountability. Things like chemical disclosure, notification prior to implementation of process, water quality monitoring and health studies are all aimed at the betterment of the community and society. These steps would beyond doubt be of great benefit to the aim of protecting the air and water supply in the region.
Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources delivered the draft regarding the matter and specified that there was omnipotent need for advance public notice before any procedural start in the process of fracking. Also, significant rules were introduced which were all aimed at increasing the monitoring of the wells both prior to and after the process of fracking. It has to be taken into account that these regulations are actually the very first fracking-specific regulations which have been developed in California by an administration.
All of these developments are implemented to facilitate the people of the region. The amendments ensure the safety and convenience of the people. The law also ensured that strict guidelines are followed for preservation of the environment which is the lifeblood of the community and society of the region. The amendments thus revolutionize the bill and make fracking a more public-friendly procedure. This law can serve as an inspiration for the rethinking about other industrial laws which can accommodate more amiability toward the public and can ensure a better environment.
The public demands the basic right to be informed about the place where fracking would start. They also have demands of the types of chemicals which would be utilized in the process. These demands are validated by the law which has been introduced by the Senator. The law thus ensures the confidence of the public in the government. The fracking disclose has now been mandated and the newly introduced regulations have to be abided by from the present time.
It has also been decided that the state would complete a scientific study regarding fracking within January 1, 2015 and the report comprehensively assess the issue of public and environmental safety and health. The state would also develop its website which would facilitate the cause of fracking fluid reporting by the end of 2015.
The new bill will ensure that sufficient information is gathered to know to amount of water used for fracking and the disposal methods of wastes. Health professionals have also been enabled by the bill to be able to know the trade secret information if there is any such requirement. The SB 4 thus comes up with the quintessential protective features which are highly required for any industrial work which is potentially hazardous.
The new law also perfectly executes the best possible result in regard to the strategic triangle. The law ensures the cost effectiveness of the fracking procedures by taking into domain a close inspection of the expenditures of the procedure. A close analysis of the expenditures which was required for so long has been given prime importance in the new law.
The law is beyond doubt legitimate and the amendments which have been introduced actually make the law escalate to a better height as it has even set precedent being the very first in California which has seen so many features. The law which is to be enforced is sustainable and aims at the betterment of the community and the environment. This is a major step on the part of the administration toward ensuring the safety and well-being of the people living in the region. Paramount importance which has been given to the environmental factors makes the bill quintessential.
The law is operationally and administratively feasible and it actually aims at more comprehensive scrutiny of the procedures of fracking. The administration can ensure better environment and community well-being by the implementation of the law. Fracking can be carried out in a more systematic manner due to the guidelines and regulations set down by the law.
Thus, the law passed by Senator Pavley would lead to a better future and would ensure the security and interest of the common people. It stresses on the prefect procedural activities in regard to fracking. The law testifies to the farsightedness and efficiency of the administration.
References
California Legislative Information. Retrieved from
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB4
California State Legislature. Retrieved from http://www.legislature.ca.gov/
Moore, Mark H. (1997). Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government.
Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Pressman, Jeffrey, & Wildavsky, Aaron. (1984). Implementation. Berkeley, CA: University of
California Press.
Representing Senate District 27. Retrieved from http://sd27.senate.ca.gov/news/press-releases
