8/8/2019 Onshore Access Legislation ManuFACT for Business and Manufacturers

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ManuFACTS: Onshore AccessReject Legislation Imposing De Facto Ban on

Onshore Natural Gas and Oil Resources

•  Development of natural gas shale has the potential to significantly increase the

supply of domestic natural gas.

•  There are currently no federal restrictions on accessing natural gas shale,

which is regulated at the state level. However, the Obama Administration,

through the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

is spearheading new efforts to curb onshore drilling at the federal level.

•  In the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress clarified that the Safe Drinking

Water Act does not regulate a natural gas and oil extraction technique known

as “hydraulic fracturing,” which has been used for 60 years. According to EPA 

reports, these development techniques do not pose a danger to public health or

drinking water.

•  Some members of Congress seek to impose restrictions on hydraulic fracturing

on environmental grounds, which would hinder the development of onshore natural

gas and oil resources.

• Hydraulic fracturing is an efficient practice that is applied to most U.S. natural gas

and oil wells to enhance energy development while minimizing environmental impacts.

• Hydraulic fracturing will allow manufacturers to access affordable energy and

feedstocks necessary to provide domestic jobs and spur economic growth.

How Congress Can Help

•  Oppose stand-alone legislation or amendments to appropriation bills that would roll back the exemption for hydraulic fracturing

•  Increase oversight on the Obama Administration’s efforts to regulate hydraulic fracturing on federal lands;

•  After allowing offshore energy moratoria to expire, turn back similar attempts to impose onshore energy bans;

•  Acknowledge the demonstrated safe environmental record of modern energy development techniques such as hydraul

fracturing, which is necessary to access onshore natural gas and oil supplies; and

•  Explore ways to increase access to America’s abundant natural gas and oil supplies to craft a comprehensive federal

energy policy and establish energy security.

More InformationWeb: www.nam.org/energy

E-mail: energy@nam.org

January 2011

1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 P 202•637•3000   F 202•637•3182 www.nam.org