June 5, 2013 | By Travis Mitchell

Illinois legislators last month overwhelmingly approved new fracking regulations to address safety concerns over the rapidly expanding procedure.

SB1715, known as the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act, requires drillers in the state to disclose chemicals used in the fracking process, as well as test water sources before and after completing any projects.  It also includes the largest minimum distance between all natural gas drilling wells and water sources.

Michael Frerichs, a Democratic State Senator who supported the bill, spent three years negotiating the framework.

 

"I'm proud to say that these will be the strongest, most effective drilling safeguards enacted by any state in the nation," Frerichs said in a statement. "We can be confident that we're doing all we can to protect the environment while allowing for job creation and economic growth in downstate communities.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said that while it would like to see a total moratorium on fracking, the legislation does offer important protections.

"With drills already breaking ground, we now have some essential safeguards in place to protect our communities," said NRDC senior attorney Ann Alexander, in a statement. "These regulations certainly don't make fracking safe, but they're a start."

Illinois is home to the New Albany shale formation, which is located in the southern part of the state and has significant natural gas reserves.

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