Tuesday, March 19, 2024

IDNR Proposes Regulations to Implement Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting public comment and has scheduled two public hearings on proposed regulations to implement provisions of the state’s new Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. Before these hearings, it might be beneficial for the public to learn about hydraulic fracturing and the benefits that it has for economies. By visiting a website like ncsmultistage.com, the public can educate themselves on some of the different fracturing systems that might be used. It’s important that the public are able to fully understand this operation to ensure that the hearing is beneficial for those concerned.

The regulations, when adopted, will include the most stringent environmental protections in the U.S. for high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing. The proposed regulations are now available for public review and comment through the IDNR website at: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/OilandGas/Pages/Hydraulicfracturing.aspx

The proposed regulations include amendments to 62 Ill. Adm. Code 240 (Illinois Oil and Gas Act), and the new 62 Ill. Adm. Code 245 (Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Act).

The proposed regulations have been submitted by IDNR to the Illinois Secretary of State, and were published today in the Illinois Register. The “First Notice” period will allow for public review and comment on the proposal through Jan. 3, 2014.

The IDNR will accept public comments in writing (Attn: IDNR Office of Legal Counsel – 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield Illinois 62702) and will host two public hearings at which comments on the proposed regulations will be accepted.

Written comments can be submitted to the IDNR by mail, or through an online comment option on the IDNR website at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/OilandGas/Pages/OnlineCommentSubmittalForm.aspx

The public hearings on the proposed regulations are scheduled for Nov. 26 at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and Dec. 3 at Rend Lake College in Ina. Both public hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

For meeting details and location information, check the IDNR website at: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/OilandGas/Pages/PublicHearings.aspx.

Following the “First Notice” review period, the IDNR will submit the proposed regulations to the Legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for a 45-day “Second Notice” review. The committee will decide whether IDNR can proceed to adopt the rules.