Hydraulic Fracturing: Growth, Regulation, and Challenges in the United States

摘要

One overall theme to keep in mind is that the evolution of environmental law and policy, as well as energy law and policy, in the United States has been intensely political -some would even say ideological - in its foundation. It is often difficult to rise above the various political "movements" that seem to buffet the argument on all sides of the issues. This article attempts to do that, although there will obviously be certain inherent biases that color perceptions. Hopefully this brief overview has provided a basic understanding of recent legal developments in the United States concerning hydraulic fracturing. It is a constantly evolving mosaic. Nearly every day there is another development that is of interest to those following the issues. Some of the resources identified at the end of this article can provide more context and analysis; other resources offer updates on the issues as they unfold.