Late last week, a Nevada legislative panel gave final approval
to a set of rules for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing in oil
and gas operations in the state. The new regulations, which
were adopted despite protests from a number of environmental
groups, were the product of a collaborative effort between the
state and the primary operator in Nevada,
Noble Energy, Inc.
Among other requirements, the new regulations require the monitoring of well
casings for quality, the disclosure of all chemicals used, the
notification of land owners and county commissioners, and the
collection of multiple water samples for testing.
The regulations currently have minimal impact, as oil and gas
activity in the state is primarily limited to certain areas in the
northeast portion of the state. However, the clarity of the
regulations and the certainty they apparently provide for
operators, could well set the stage for the entry of other oil and
gas operators and exploration and
