WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) member, joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) in introducing the Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands (FRESH) Act, a bill to give states full authority to regulate fracking on any land within their borders.

“North Dakota is a leader in the clean and safe production of oil and gas. While our foreign adversaries increase their energy production, our energy producers have been stalled by an intrusive federal bureaucracy and an Administration which seems openly opposed to their success,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill would allow states to decide how to best regulate the fracking industry within their borders.”

The FRESH ACT would declare a state is the only authorized entity to regulate hydraulic fracturing on any land located within its borders. It would also note the exclusivity of regulation also applies to all federal lands located in the state.

North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness applauded the introduction of the bill.

“We are thankful for Senator Cramer’s support of the Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act,” said Ness. “With a strong record on energy production and environmental protection, the state regulators in North Dakota are better positioned to implement workable regulations than those in the federal bureaucracy.” 

Senators Cramer and Inhofe are joined on this bill by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Scott (R-SC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and James Lankford (R-OK).