Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law regulation for high-volume hydraulic fracturing, the governor’s office said in a news release.
Companies will be required to disclose chemicals used in fracturing and to test water before and after drilling. The new regulation includes strong provisions to protect water quality, assure transparency, and promote public involvement, Quinn said in a June 17 statement after he signed the bill into law.
One of the legislation’s sponsors, Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) said fracturing already has started on a limited basis in Illinois. The state’s Department of Natural Resources plans to hire more engineers, inspectors, attorneys, and others to implement the new regulation.
“The environmental community looks forward to working with the governor and agencies to make sure that this bill is strongly enforced,” said Jan Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.