The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC ) has proposed revisions to state regulations governing oil and gas companies, including new requirements for hydraulic fracturing activities. The plan includes a 15-day public notice-and-comment period for every new well that would use more than 200,000 gallons of water in the fracturing process.
Other requirements call for drilling plans to include a statement of the intent to fracture a well and the volume of fluids to be used. Post-drilling reports would also be required, including information on actual volumes of additives or chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, the amount of wastewater generated and disposal methods used. Wells, pits and storage facilities would be prohibited in flood plains or wetlands, and new pipe-casing standards and minimum specifications for pits, liners, and tanks would be required. TCE D requests comments by July 20, 2012.
