This paper provides an assessment of federal, state, and local regulations and legal activity regarding hydraulic fracturing as of late 2016. It includes a post-election assessment of how some results are likely to further impact hydraulic fracturing. The analysis includes a review of recent court cases, pending legal challenges and appeals, relevant statutes, and recent environmental studies affecting hydraulic fracturing. The paper also discusses possible future regulatory trends, recommendations for practicing engineers, and suggestions for corporate policy decision makers.

Keywords:
hydraulic fracturing, lawsuit, US government, operation, EPA, presumption, waste management, produced water discharge, regulate hydraulic, underground injection
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Environment, Water use, produced water discharge and disposal, Waste management
Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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