The Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act

American Chemical Society Chicago Section Public Affairs Meeting.

Speaker: Jennifer Cassel
Attorney, Environmental Law and Policy Center

Abstract: In June 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. The law, which was the result of many months of intense negotiations among environmental groups, industry representatives, state agencies and others, includes some of the strongest provisions in the nation to protect against contamination from hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). Some of those stringent protections are, however, now being put at risk by draft regulations proposed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In this talk, I will present a background on fracking, elaborate on the process of developing the Act, highlight some of its key provisions, and discuss the ongoing regulatory process and the concerns environmental groups and others have with the regulations as proposed. Finally, I will note some of the important unanswered questions regarding what impacts fracking will have in Illinois once the regulatory process is complete.

Free to attend Lecture only @ 8 pm
$37 to attend dinner at 6 pm. Discounts avalable for students.

Please register at Http://chicagoacs.net/meetings/14mar.php