SECTION 1. Section 26A of chapter 21 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “effluent”, in line 67, the following words:- , hydraulic fracturing fluid.
SECTION 2. Section 27 of said chapter 21, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following clause:-
(14) Enforce restrictions on drilling, waste treatment and disposal and mining activities which have been enacted to protect the water quality and the natural resources of the commonwealth.
SECTION 3. Section 42 of said chapter 21, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “commonwealth”, in line 3, the following words:- ,or into an injection well or into a treatment works in the commonwealth.
SECTION 4. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-
“Fluid”, any material or substance which flows or moves whether in semi-solid, liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.
“Gas”, all natural gas, whether hydrocarbon or nonhydrocarbon, including hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, casinghead gas and all other fluid hydrocarbons not defined as oil.
“Hydraulic fracturing”, the process of pumping a fluid into or under the surface of the ground in order to create fractures in rock to produce or recover oil or gas.
“Oil”, crude petroleum, oil and all hydrocarbons, regardless of specific gravity, that are in the liquid phase in the reservoir and are produced at the wellhead in liquid form.
“Oil and gas”, oil and gas collectively, or either oil or gas, as the context may require to give effect to the purposes of this chapter.
(b) For the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2027, inclusive, a person shall not engage in hydraulic fracturing.
(c) For the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2027, inclusive, a person shall not collect, store, treat or dispose of wastewater hydraulic fracturing fluid, wastewater solids, drill cuttings or other byproducts from hydraulic fracturing.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.