Maryland Petroleum Council criticizes proposed state rules on hydraulic fracturing

The Maryland Petroleum Council (MPC) recently criticized proposed hydraulic fracturing regulations in the state as being unnecessary – considering the industry’s safety track record – and being restrictive to the sector’s growth in the state.

“We are an industry that has a proven record of providing environmental and economic benefits,” MPC Executive Director Drew Cobbs said in an article posted recently on the American Petroleum Institute's website. “As written, a number of the proposed regulations are overly restrictive and would undermine our proven track record on safety, proven through the development of millions of wells. We need policies that protect jobs and investment in western Maryland, and these new regulations would take us in the wrong direction.”

The MPC specifically cited requirements that go beyond neighboring states’ regulations and industry best practices, such as those surrounding setbacks, well construction and casing layers. The regulation would also make areas of western Maryland completely off limits to hydraulic fracturing due to their proximity to surrounding watersheds.

“The industry is committed to safety and solid well construction, and the industry is committed to transparency in reporting the chemicals we use,” Cobbs said. “That commitment, combined with technological innovations in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, has made the United States the world’s leader in the production of oil and natural gas while also making our nation the global leader in reducing carbon emissions. Consumers are saving in energy costs and the environment is improving. These are not mutually exclusive propositions.”