SB 1132, as amended, Mitchell. Oil and gas: well stimulation treatments.
Under existing law, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources in the Department of Conservation regulates the drilling, operation, maintenance, stimulation, and abandonment of oil and gas wells in the state. The State Oil and Gas Supervisor, or supervisor, supervises the drilling, operation, maintenance, stimulation, and abandonment of wells and the operation, maintenance, and removal or abandonment of tanks and facilities related to oil and gas production within an oil and gas field regarding safety and environmental damage. Existing law requires an operator, prior to performing a well stimulating treatmentbegin insert, as defined,end insert on a well, to obtain approval from the supervisor or district deputy. Under existing law, a person who violates any prohibition specific to the regulation of oil or gas operations is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Existing law requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted, and completed, an independent scientific study on well stimulation treatments, including acid well stimulation and hydraulic fracturing treatments.
This billbegin insert would revise the definition of “well stimulation treatment.” The billend insert would require the scientific study to consider additional elements, including, among other things, evaluating various potential direct, indirect, and cumulative health and environmental effects of onshore and offshore well stimulation and well stimulation treatment-related activities, as specified. The bill would also prohibit all well stimulation treatments until the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency
convenes a committee to review the scientific study, as specified, the Governor issues findings that specific measures are in place to ensure that well stimulation treatments do not pose a risk to, or impairment of, the public health and welfare or to the environmental and economic sustainability of the state, and, if applicable, those findings are affirmed by judicial review, as specified.begin delete The bill would also require the division to adopt a formal process to resolve any claims with respect to vested rights, as specified.end deletebegin insert The bill would require a person claiming a vested right to perform a well stimulation treatment to seek a determination from the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency before performing the well stimulation treatment during the time period in which the prohibition is in effect.end insert Because a violation
of the bill’s requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
begin insert(a)end insertbegin insert end insert The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
P3 1(a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to protect
2the public health and welfare of the state.
3(b)
end delete
4begin insert(1)end insert Thebegin delete actual and potential risks of well stimulation are state has failed to appropriately
5currently unknown because theend delete
6monitor or track well stimulation activity and to study its effects.
7(c)
end delete
8begin insert(2)end insert Well stimulation and well stimulation-related activities
9begin insert release harmful air pollutants, including methanol,
crystalline
10silica dust, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid, xylene,
112-butoxyethanol, naphthalene, ethylbenzene, 2-propanol, volatile
12organic compounds, and particulate matter, which end insert have anbegin insert adverseend insert
13 impact on the state’s airbegin delete quality, water quality and supply, soil begin insert end insertbegin insertquality and are detrimental to public health and
14quality, land use patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, seismicity,
15worker safety, social instability, economic instability, and public
16health and safety.end delete
17safety. Many parts of California already suffer from poor air
18quality.end insert
19(3) Well stimulation and well stimulation-related activities
20involve the use of hundreds of chemicals, many of which are known
21to be carcinogenic or are otherwise harmful to human health.
22These chemicals, along with dangerous chemicals present in the
23oil and gas formation, threaten to contaminate groundwater and
24surface water resources through numerous potential pathways.
25(4) Exposure to the chemicals used in well stimulation and well
26stimulation-related activities poses a widespread and significant
27risk to public health and safety and the environment. Studies have
28shown an increase in birth defects and illnesses in communities
29located close to well stimulation operations.
30(5) Well stimulation and well
stimulation-related activities
31involve the use of substantial amounts of freshwater, which cannot
32be reused for other purposes once it is mixed with well stimulation
33fluid chemicals. California is currently experiencing one of the
34worst droughts in the state’s history and faces a scarcity of
35freshwater resources.
36(6) Well stimulation and well stimulation-related activities result
37in the emission of a substantial amount of greenhouse gases, such
38as carbon dioxide and methane. The construction, drilling,
39extraction, refinement, and end-use combustion of oil and gas
40produces vast amounts of greenhouse gas; furthermore, well
P4 1stimulation and well stimulation-related activities may lead to a
2dramatic increase in the overall amount of recoverable oil and
3gas in the state. The expansion of oil and gas activity and the
4process of well stimulation both threaten to undermine the state’s
5goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
6(7) The disposal of wastewater resulting from well stimulation
7and well stimulation-related activities in other states has been
8linked to increased earthquake activity.
9(8) Fracking and other forms of well stimulation occur
10disproportionately near communities consisting largely of people
11of color, low-income households, non-English speaking households,
12and persons already experiencing high levels of water or air
13pollution or water scarcity.
14(9) Well stimulation and well stimulation-related activities
15directly and indirectly harm wildlife, including species that are
16protected under federal and state endangered species laws.
17(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to
18protect the public health and welfare of the state.
begin insertSection 3157 of the end insertbegin insertPublic Resources Codeend insertbegin insert is amended
20to read:end insert
(a) For purposes of this article, “well stimulation
22treatment” means any treatment of a well designed to enhance oil
23and gas production or recovery by increasing the permeability of
24thebegin delete formation.end deletebegin insert formation or the flow of fluid through the well.end insert Well
25stimulation treatments include, but are not limited to, hydraulic
26fracturing treatments and acid well stimulation treatments.
27(b) Well stimulation treatments do not include steam flooding,
28water flooding, or cyclic steaming and do not include routine well
29cleanout work, routine well maintenance, routine removal of
30formation
damage due to drilling, bottom hole pressure surveys,
31or routine activities that do not affect the integrity of the well or
32the formation.
33(c) Well stimulation treatments do not include gas storage
34projects that are subject to Section 1742.9 of Title 14 of the
35California Code of Regulations, but shall include well stimulation
36treatments applied to gas storage projects to increase the flow of
37gas.
Section 3160 of the Public Resources Code is amended
40to read:
(a) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall
2cause to be conducted, and completed, an independent scientific
3study on well stimulation treatments, including, but not limited to,
4hydraulic fracturing and acid well stimulation treatments. The
5scientific study shall evaluate the hazards and risks and potential
6hazards and risks that well stimulation treatments and well
7stimulation treatment-related activities pose to natural resources
8and public, occupational, and environmental health and safety.
9The scientific study shall do all of the following:
10(1) Follow the well-established standard protocols of the
11scientific profession, including, but not limited to, the use of
12recognized
experts, peer review, and publication. The study shall
13be based solely on the best available scientific, health,
14environmental, and statistical information.
15(2) (A) Identify all onshore areas with existing and potential
16conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservesbegin insert and gas
17storage projectsend insert where well stimulation treatments are likely to
18spur or enable oil and gas exploration andbegin delete production.end deletebegin insert production,
19or gas storage.end insert
20(B) Identify offshore areas, within the jurisdiction of the
21division, with
existing and potential conventional and
22unconventional oil and gas reserves where well stimulation
23treatments are likely to spur or enable oil and gas exploration and
24production.
25(3) (A) Evaluate all aspects and effects of well stimulation
26treatments, including, but not limited to, the well stimulation
27treatment, additive and water transportation to and from the well
28site, mixing, storage, and handling of the well stimulation treatment
29fluids and additives onsite, the use and potential for use of nontoxic
30additives and the use or reuse of treated or produced water in well
31stimulation treatment fluids, and flowback fluids and the handling,
32treatment, and disposal of flowback fluids and other materials, if
33any, generated by the treatment. Specifically, the potential for the
34use of recycled water in well stimulation treatments,
including
35appropriate water quality requirements and available treatment
36technologies, shall be evaluated. Well stimulation treatments
37include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing and acid well
38stimulation treatments.
39(B) Review and evaluate acid matrix stimulation treatments,
40including the range of acid volumes applied per treated foot and
P6 1total acid volumes used in treatments, types of acids, acid
2concentration, and other chemicals used in the treatments.
3(C) Evaluate all potential direct, indirect, and cumulative health
4and environmental effects of onshore well stimulation treatments
5and well stimulation treatment-related activities.
6(D) Evaluate all potential direct, indirect, and cumulative health
7and
environmental effects of offshore well stimulation treatments
8and well stimulation treatment-related activities that are within the
9jurisdiction of the division.
10(E) Evaluate all direct, indirect, and cumulative health and
11environmental effects of the full lifecycle of oil and gas
12exploration,
development, and production, including flowback
13fluids and other byproducts that would result from allowing well
14stimulation treatments within the state.
15(F) Evaluate the extent of the increase in oil and gas
16development, refining processes, and end-use combustion that
17would result from allowing well stimulation treatments within the
18state.
19(4) (A) Consider potential water contamination, including
20groundwater and surface water, potential depletion of water
21resources, potential effects on water sustainability, and the ultimate
22disposition, transport, transformation, and toxicology of well
23stimulation treatments, including acid well stimulation fluids,
24hydraulic fracturing fluids, and waste hydraulic fracturing fluids,
25and acid well
stimulation in the environment.
26(B) Consider surface contamination, potential noise and light
27pollution, as well as actual and potential induced seismicity.
28(C) Consider atmospheric emissions, including potential
29greenhouse gas emissions, the potential degradation of air quality,
30and the potential impacts of well stimulation and increased oil and
31gas activity on the state’s efforts to meet its greenhouse gas
32reduction targets under the California Global Warming Solutions
33Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of
34the Health and Safety Code).
35(5) Identify and evaluate the geologic features present in the
36vicinity of a well, including the well bore, that should be taken
37into consideration in
the design of a proposed well stimulation
38treatment.
39(6) Identify and evaluate all of the following:
P7 1(A) The potential impacts of well stimulation treatments on
2privatebegin delete property and land use,end deletebegin insert property,end insert including home values
3and direct damage to property and land.
4(B) The potential human health risk for each chemical used in
5well stimulation treatments.
6(C) The potential economic costs and harms of increased oil
7and gas operations in the state as a result of well stimulation
8treatments,
including, but not limited to, the resulting economic
9costs to the agricultural sector and the tourism industry.
10(D) The potential effects on communities most likely to be
11negatively affected by the impacts of well stimulation, including,
12but not limited to, all of the following:
13(i) Communities consisting largely of people of color.
14(ii) Communities consisting largely of low-income individuals.
15(iii) Communities consisting largely of non-English-speaking
16households.
17(iv) Communities already experiencing high levels of water or
18air pollution, or water scarcity.
19(E) Potential harm to the public health and welfare of the state’s
20residents and the state’s environment, both cumulatively and
21specific to each region where well stimulation treatments may
22occur.
23(F) The potential effect of increased traffic due to increased oil
24and gas activity as a result of well stimulation treatments, including
25air emissions from vehicle traffic, and road expansion and
26deterioration.
27(G) The potential effect on pipeline infrastructure due to
28increased oil and gas activity as a result of well stimulation
29treatments, including potential pipeline leakage.
30(H) Potential impacts on wildlife, including harm to endangered
31or threatened species, native plants, and habitat, including habitat
32fragmentation.
33(I) Whether existing emergency planning, procedures, and
34resources adequately and fully ensure public safety in the event
35of an emergency.
36(J) Potential risks to worker safety.
37(7) Include a hazard assessment and risk analysis addressing
38occupational and environmental exposures to well stimulation
39treatments, including hydraulic fracturing treatments, hydraulic
40fracturing treatment-related processes, acid well stimulation
P8 1treatments, acid well stimulation treatment-related processes, and
2the corresponding impacts on public health and safety with the
3participation of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard
4Assessment.
5(8) Clearly identify where
additional information is necessary
6to inform and improve the analyses.
7(b) (1) Prior to the issuance of the final scientific study, the
8division shall conduct public hearings throughout the state to obtain
9additional public comment. Public notice of abegin delete hearingsend deletebegin insert hearing end insert
10 shall be provided at least 30 days prior to any hearing.
11(2) All relevant notices and hearing documents shall be made
12available in non-English languages necessary to inform the public
13of the opportunity to comment and to accommodate public
14participation.
15(c) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall notify
16the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the chairs of the
17Assembly Natural Resources, Senate Environmental Quality, and
18Senate Natural Resources and Water Committees on the progress
19of the independent scientific study on well stimulation and related
20activities. The first progress report shall be provided to the
21Legislature on or before April 1, 2014, and progress reports shall
22continue every four months thereafter until the independent study
23is completed, including a peer review of the study by independent
24scientific experts.
25(d) (1) (A) On or before January 1, 2015, the division, in
26consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control,
27the State Air Resources
Board, the State Water Resources Control
28Board, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, and
29any local air districts and regional water quality control boards
30in areas where well stimulation treatments, including acid well
31stimulation treatments and hydraulic fracturing treatments may
32occur, shall adopt rules and regulations specific to well stimulation
33treatments. The rules and regulations shall include, but are not
34limited to, revisions, as needed, to the rules and regulations
35governing construction of wells and well casings to ensure integrity
36of wells, well casings, and the geologic and hydrologic isolation
37of the oil and gas formation during and following well stimulation
38treatments, and full disclosure of the composition and disposition
39of well stimulation fluids, including, but not limited to, hydraulic
40fracturing fluids, acid well stimulation fluids, and flowback fluids.
P9 1(B) The rules and regulations shall additionally
include
2provisions for an independent entity or person to perform the
3notification requirements pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision
4(f), for the operator to provide for baseline and followup water
5testing upon request as specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision
6(f).
7(C) (i) In order to identify the acid matrix stimulation treatments
8that are subject to this section, the rules and regulations shall
9establish threshold values for acid volume applied per treated foot
10of any individual stage of the well or for total acid volume of the
11treatment, or both, based upon a quantitative assessment of the
12risks posed by acid matrix stimulation treatments that exceed the
13specified threshold value or values in order to prevent, as far as
14possible, damage to life, health, property, and natural resources
15pursuant to Section 3106.
16(ii) On or before January 1, 2020, the
division shall review and
17evaluate the threshold values for acid volume applied per treated
18foot and total acid volume of the treatment, based upon data
19collected in the state, for acid matrix stimulation treatments. The
20division shall revise the values through the regulatory process, if
21necessary, based upon the best available scientific information,
22including the results of the independent scientific study pursuant
23to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
24(2) Full disclosure of the composition and disposition of well
25stimulation fluids, including, but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing
26fluids and acid stimulation treatment fluids, shall, at a minimum,
27include:
28(A) The date of the well stimulation treatment.
end insertbegin insert
29(B) A complete list of the names, Chemical Abstract Service
30(CAS) numbers, and maximum
concentration, in percent by mass,
31of each and every chemical constituent of the well stimulation
32treatment fluids used. If a CAS number does not exist for a
33chemical constituent, the well owner or operator may provide
34another unique identifier, if available.
35(C) The trade name, the supplier, concentration, and a brief
36description of the intended purpose of each additive contained in
37the well stimulation treatment fluid.
38(D) The total volume of base fluid used during the well
39stimulation treatment, and the identification of whether the base
40fluid is water suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes, water
P10 1not suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes, or a fluid other
2than water.
3(E) The source, volume, and specific composition and disposition
4of all water, including, but not limited to, all water used as base
5
fluid during the well stimulation treatment and recovered from the
6well following the well stimulation treatment that is not otherwise
7reported as produced water pursuant to Section 3227. Any repeated
8reuse of treated or untreated water for well stimulation treatments
9and well stimulation treatment-related activities shall be identified.
10(F) The specific composition and disposition of all well
11stimulation treatment fluids, including waste fluids, other than
12water.
13(G) Any radiological components or tracers injected into the
14well as part of, or in order to evaluate, the well stimulation
15treatment, a description of the recovery method, if any, for those
16components or tracers, the recovery rate, and specific disposal
17information for recovered components or tracers.
18(H) The radioactivity of the recovered well stimulation fluids.
end insertbegin insert
19(I) The location of the portion of the well subject to the well
20stimulation treatment and the extent of the fracturing or other
21modification, if any, surrounding the well induced by the treatment.
22(e) (1) Through the consultation process described in paragraph
23(1) of subdivision (d), the division shall collaboratively identify
24and delineate the existing statutory authority and regulatory
25responsibility relating to well stimulation treatments and well
26stimulation treatment-related activities of the Department of Toxic
27Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, any local air
28districts, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department
29of Resources Recycling and Recovery, any regional water quality
30control board, and other public entities, as applicable. This shall
31specify how the respective authority, responsibility, and notification
32and
reporting requirements associated with well stimulation
33treatments and well stimulation treatment-related activities are
34divided among each public entity.
35(2) On or before January 1, 2015, the division shall enter into
36formal agreements with the Department of Toxic Substances
37Control, the State Air Resources Board, any local air districts
38where well stimulation treatments may occur, the State Water
39Resources Control Board, the Department of Resources Recycling
40and Recovery, and any regional water quality control board where
P11 1well stimulation treatments may occur, clearly delineating
2respective authority, responsibility, and notification and reporting
3requirements associated with well stimulation treatments and well
4stimulation treatment-related activities, including air and water
5quality monitoring, in order to promote regulatory transparency
6and accountability.
7(3) The agreements
under paragraph (2) shall specify the
8appropriate public entity responsible for air and water quality
9monitoring and the safe and lawful disposal of materials in
10landfills, include trade secret handling protocols, if necessary,
11and provide for ready public access to information related to well
12stimulation treatments and related activities.
13(4) Regulations, if necessary, shall be revised appropriately to
14incorporate the agreements under paragraph (2).
15(f) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, prior to
16performing a well stimulation treatment, the operator shall apply
17for a permit to perform a well stimulation treatment with the
18supervisor or district deputy. The well stimulation treatment permit
19application shall contain the pertinent data the
supervisor requires
20on printed forms supplied by the division or on other forms
21acceptable to the supervisor. The information provided in the well
22stimulation treatment permit application shall include, but is not
23limited to, the following:
24(A) The well identification number and location.
end insertbegin insert
25(B) The time period during which the well stimulation treatment
26is planned to occur.
27(C) A water management plan that shall include all of the
28following:
29(i) An estimate of the amount of water to be used in the
30treatment. Estimates of water to be recycled following the well
31stimulation treatment may be included.
32(ii) The anticipated source of the water to be used in the
33treatment.
34(iii) The disposal method identified for the recovered water in
35the flowback fluid from the treatment that is not produced water
36included in the statement pursuant to Section 3227.
37(D) A complete list of the names, Chemical Abstract Service
38(CAS) numbers, and estimated concentrations, in percent by mass,
39of each and every chemical constituent of the well stimulation
40fluids anticipated to be used in the treatment. If a CAS number
P12 1does not exist for a chemical constituent, the well owner or
2operator may provide another unique identifier, if available.
3(E) The planned location of the well stimulation treatment on
4the well bore, the estimated length, height, and direction of the
5induced fractures or other planned modification, if any, and the
6location of existing wells, including plugged and abandoned wells,
7that may be
impacted by these fractures and modifications.
8(F) A groundwater monitoring plan. Required groundwater
9monitoring in the vicinity of the well subject to the well stimulation
10treatment shall be satisfied by one of the following:
11(i) The well is located within the boundaries of an existing oil
12or gas field-specific or regional monitoring program developed
13pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code.
14(ii) The well is located within the boundaries of an existing oil
15or gas field-specific or regional monitoring program developed
16and implemented by the well owner or operator meeting the model
17criteria established pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code.
18(iii) Through a well-specific monitoring plan implemented by
19the owner or operator meeting the model
criteria established
20pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code, and submitted to
21the appropriate regional water board for review.
22(G) The estimated amount of treatment-generated waste
23materials that are not reported in subparagraph (C) and an
24identified disposal method for the waste materials.
25(2) (A) At the supervisor’s discretion, and if applied for
26concurrently, the well stimulation treatment permit described in
27this section may be combined with the well drilling and related
28operation notice of intent required pursuant to Section 3203 into
29a single combined authorization. The portion of the combined
30authorization applicable to well stimulation shall meet all of the
31requirements of a well stimulation treatment permit pursuant to
32this section.
33(B) Where the supervisor determines that the
activities proposed
34in the well stimulation treatment permit or the combined
35authorization have met all of the requirements of Division 13
36(commencing with Section 21000), and have been fully described,
37analyzed, evaluated, and mitigated, no additional review or
38mitigation shall be required.
P13 1(C) The time period available for approval of the portion of the
2combined authorization applicable to well stimulation is subject
3to the terms of this section, and not Section 3203.
4(3) (A) The supervisor or district deputy shall review the well
5stimulation treatment permit application and may approve the
6permit if the application is complete. An incomplete application
7shall not be approved.
8(B) A well stimulation treatment or repeat well stimulation
9treatment shall not be performed on any well without a
valid permit
10that the supervisor or district deputy has approved.
11(C) In considering the permit application, the supervisor or
12district deputy shall evaluate the quantifiable risk of the well
13stimulation treatment.
14(4) The well stimulation treatment permit shall expire one year
15from the date that the permit is issued.
16(5) Within five business days of issuing a permit to perform a
17well stimulation treatment, the division shall provide a copy of the
18permit to the appropriate regional water quality control board or
19boards and to the local planning entity where the well, including
20its subsurface portion, is located. The division shall also post the
21permit on the publicly accessible portion of its Internet Web site
22within five business days of issuing a permit.
23(6) (A) It is the policy of the state that a copy of the approved
24well stimulation treatment permit and information on the available
25water sampling and testing be provided to every tenant of the
26surface property and every surface property owner or authorized
27agent of that owner whose property line location is one of the
28following:
29(i) Within a 1,500 foot radius of the wellhead.
end insertbegin insert
30(ii) Within 500 feet from the horizontal projection of all
31subsurface portions of the designated well to the surface.
32(B) (i) The well owner or operator shall identify the area
33requiring notification and shall contract with an independent entity
34or person who is responsible for, and shall perform, the notification
35required pursuant to subparagraph (A).
36(ii) The independent entity or person shall identify the
37individuals notified, the method of notification, the date of the
38notification, and a list of those notified, and shall provide this
39information to the division.
P14 1(iii) The performance of the independent entity or person shall
2be subject to review and audit by the division.
3(C) A well stimulation treatment shall not commence before 30
4calendar days after the permit copies pursuant to subparagraph
5(A) are provided.
6(7) (A) A property owner notified pursuant to paragraph (6)
7may request water quality sampling and testing from a designated
8qualified contractor on any water well suitable for drinking or
9irrigation purposes and on any surface water suitable for drinking
10or irrigation
purposes as follows:
11(i) Baseline measurements prior to the commencement of the
12well stimulation treatment.
13(ii) Followup measurements after the well stimulation treatment
14on the same schedule as the pressure testing of the well casing of
15the treated well.
16(B) The State Water Resources Control Board shall designate
17one or more qualified independent third-party contractor or
18contractors that adhere to board-specified standards and protocols
19to perform the water sampling and testing. The well owner or
20operator shall pay for the sampling and testing. The sampling and
21testing performed shall be subject to audit and review by the State
22Water Resources Control Board or an applicable regional water
23quality control board, as appropriate.
24(C) The results of the
water testing shall be provided to the
25division, appropriate regional water quality control board, and
26the property owner or authorized agent. A tenant notified pursuant
27to paragraph (6) shall receive information on the results of the
28water testing to the extent authorized by his or her lease and, where
29the tenant has lawful use of the groundwater or surface water
30identified in subparagraph (A), the tenant may independently
31contract for similar groundwater or surface water testing.
32(8) The division shall retain a list of the entities and property
33owners notified pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6).
34(9) The operator shall provide notice to the division at least 72
35hours prior to the actual start of the well stimulation treatment in
36order for the division to witness the treatment.
37(g) If a well stimulation treatment is
performed, a supplier that
38performs any part of the treatment or provides additives directly
39to the operator for a well stimulation treatment shall furnish the
40operator with information suitable for public disclosure needed
P15 1for the operator to comply with subdivision (h). This information
2shall be provided as soon as possible but no later than 30 days
3following the conclusion of the well stimulation treatment.
4(h) (1) Within 60 days following cessation of a well stimulation
5treatment, the operator shall post or cause to be posted to an
6Internet Web site, designated or maintained by the division and
7accessible to the public, all of the well stimulation fluid
8composition and disposition information required to be collected
9pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted under subdivision
10(d), including well identification number and location. This shall
11include the collected water quality data, which the operator shall
12report
electronically to the State Water Resources Control Board.
13(2) (A) The division shall develop an Internet Web site for
14operators to report the information required under this section.
15The Internet Web site shall be capable of organizing the reported
16information in a format, such as a spreadsheet, that allows the
17public to easily search and aggregate, to the extent practicable,
18each type of information required to be collected pursuant to
19subdivision (d) using search functions on that Internet Web site.
20The Internet Web site shall be functional within two years of the
21Department of Technology’s approval of a feasibility study report
22or appropriation authority to fund the development of the Internet
23Web site, whichever occurs latest, but no later than January 1,
242016.
25(B) The division may direct reporting to an alternative Internet
26Web site developed by the
Ground Water Protection Council and
27the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission in the interim
28until approval or appropriate authority pursuant to subparagraph
29(A) occur. Prior to the implementation of the division’s Internet
30Web site, the division shall obtain the data reported by operators
31to the alternative Internet Web site and make it available in an
32organized electronic format to the public no later than 15 days
33after it is reported to the alternative Internet Web site.
34(i) The operator is responsible for compliance with this section.
end insertbegin insert
35(j) (1) All geologic features within a distance reflecting an
36appropriate safety factor of the fracture zone for well stimulation
37treatments that fracture the formation and that have the potential
38to either limit or facilitate the migration of fluids outside of the
39fracture zone shall be identified and added to the well
history.
P16 1Geologic features include seismic faults identified by the California
2Geologic Survey.
3(2) For the purposes of this section, the “fracture zone” is
4defined as the volume surrounding the well bore where fractures
5were created or enhanced by the well stimulation treatment. The
6safety factor shall be at least five and may vary depending upon
7geologic knowledge.
8(3) The division shall review the geologic features important to
9assessing well stimulation treatments identified in the independent
10study pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a). Upon
11completion of the review, the division shall revise the regulations
12governing the reporting of geologic features pursuant to this
13subdivision accordingly.
14(k) (1) Public disclosure of well stimulation treatment fluid
15information claimed to
contain trade secrets is governed by Section
161060 of the Evidence Code, or the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Title
175 (commencing with Section 3426) of Part 1 of Division 4 of the
18Civil Code), and the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5
19(commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the
20Government Code).
21(2) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, none of the
22following information shall be protected as a trade secret:
23(A) The identities of the chemical constituents of additives,
24including CAS identification numbers.
25(B) The concentrations of the additives in the well stimulation
26treatment fluids.
27(C) Any air or other pollution monitoring data.
end insertbegin insert
28(D) Health and safety data
associated with well stimulation
29treatment fluids.
30(E) The chemical composition of the flowback fluid.
end insertbegin insert
31(3) If a trade secret claim is invalid or invalidated, the division
32shall release the information to the public by revising the
33information released pursuant to subdivision (h). The supplier
34shall notify the division of any change in status within 30 days.
35(4) (A) If a supplier believes that information regarding a
36chemical constituent of a well stimulation fluid is a trade secret,
37the supplier shall nevertheless disclose the information to the
38division in conjunction with a well stimulation treatment permit
39application, if not previously disclosed, within 30 days following
P17 1cessation of well stimulation on a well, and shall notify the division
2in writing of that belief.
3(B) A trade secret claim shall not be made after initial disclosure
4of the information to the division.
5(C) To comply with the public disclosure requirements of this
6section, the supplier shall indicate where the trade secret
7information has been withheld and provide substitute information
8for public disclosure. The substitute information shall be a list, in
9any order, of the chemical constituents of the additive, including
10CAS identification numbers. The division shall review and approve
11the supplied substitute information.
12(D) This subdivision does not permit a supplier to refuse to
13disclose the information required pursuant to this section to the
14division.
15(5) In order to substantiate the trade secret claim, the supplier
16shall provide information to the
division that shows all of the
17following:
18(A) The extent to which the trade secret information is known
19by the supplier’s employees, and others involved in the supplier’s
20business and outside the supplier’s business.
21(B) The measures taken by the supplier to guard the secrecy of
22the trade secret information.
23(C) The value of the trade secret information to the supplier
24and its competitors.
25(D) The amount of effort or money the supplier expended
26developing the trade secret information and the ease or difficulty
27with which the trade secret information could be acquired or
28duplicated by others.
29(6) If the division determines that the information provided in
30support of a request for trade
secret protection pursuant to
31paragraph (5) is incomplete, the division shall notify the supplier
32and the supplier shall have 30 days to complete the submission.
33An incomplete submission does not meet the substantive criteria
34for trade secret designation.
35(7) If the division determines that the information provided in
36support of a request for trade secret protection does not meet the
37substantive criteria for trade secret designation, the department
38shall notify the supplier by certified mail of its determination. The
39division shall release the information to the public, but not earlier
40than 60 days after the date of mailing the determination, unless,
P18 1prior to the expiration of the 60-day period, the supplier obtains
2an action in an appropriate court for a declaratory judgment that
3the information is subject to protection or for a preliminary
4injunction prohibiting disclosure of the information to the public
5and provides notice to the division
of the court order.
6(8) The supplier is not required to disclose the trade secret
7information to the operator.
8(9) Upon receipt of a request for the release of trade secret
9information to the public, the following procedure applies:
10(A) The division shall notify the supplier of the request in writing
11by certified mail, return receipt requested.
12(B) The division shall release the information to the public, but
13not earlier than 60 days after the date of mailing the notice of the
14request for information, unless, prior to the expiration of the 60-day
15period, the supplier obtains an action in an appropriate court for
16a declaratory judgment that the information is subject to protection
17or for a preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of the
18information
to the public and provides notice to the division of
19that action.
20(10) The division shall develop a timely procedure to provide
21trade secret information in the following circumstances:
22(A) To an officer or employee of the division, the state, local
23governments, including, but not limited to, local air districts, or
24the United States, in connection with the official duties of that
25officer or employee, to a health professional under any law for the
26protection of health, or to contractors with the division or other
27government entities and their employees if, in the opinion of the
28division, disclosure is necessary and required for the satisfactory
29performance of a contract, for performance of work, or to protect
30health and safety.
31(B) To a health professional in the event of an emergency or to
32diagnose or treat a
patient.
33(C) In order to protect public health, to any health professional,
34toxicologist, or epidemiologist who is employed in the field of
35public health and who provides a written statement of need. The
36written statement of need shall include the public health purposes
37of the disclosure and shall explain the reason the disclosure of the
38specific chemical and its concentration is required.
39(D) A health professional may share trade secret information
40with other persons as may be professionally necessary, in order
P19 1to diagnose or treat a patient, including, but not limited to, the
2patient and other health professionals, subject to state and federal
3laws restricting disclosure of medical records including, but not
4limited to, Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 56.10) of Part 2.6
5of Division 1 of the Civil Code.
6(E) For
purposes of this paragraph, “health professional”
7means any person licensed or certified pursuant to Division 2
8(commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions
9Code, the Osteopathic Initiative Act, the Chiropractic Initiative
10Act, or the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital
11Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act (Division 2.5 (commencing
12with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code).
13(F) A person in possession of, or with access to, confidential
14trade secret information pursuant to the provisions of this
15subdivision may disclose this information to any person who is
16authorized to receive it. A written confidentiality agreement shall
17not be required.
18(l) A well granted confidential status pursuant to Section 3234
19shall not be required to disclose well stimulation treatment fluid
20information pursuant to subdivision (h) until the confidential status
21
of the well ceases. Notwithstanding the confidential status of a
22well, it is public information that a well will be or has been subject
23to a well stimulation treatment.
24(m) The division shall perform random periodic spot check
25inspections to ensure that the information provided on well
26stimulation treatments is accurately reported, including that the
27estimates provided prior to the commencement of the well
28stimulation treatment are reasonably consistent with the well
29history.
30(n) Where the division shares jurisdiction over a well or the
31well stimulation treatment on a well with a federal entity, the
32division’s rules and regulations shall apply in addition to all
33applicable federal laws and regulations.
34(o) This article does not relieve the division or any other agency
35from complying with any other provision of
existing laws,
36regulations, and orders.
37(p) Well stimulation treatments used for routine maintenance
38of wells associated with underground storage facilities where
39natural gas is injected into and withdrawn from depleted or
P20 1partially depleted oil or gas reservoirs pursuant to subdivision (a)
2of Section 3403.5 are not subject to this section.
Section 3160.1 is added to the Public Resources Code,
4to read:
(a) (1) (A) On or before January 1, 2015, the division,
6in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control,
7the State Air Resources Board, the State Water Resources Control
8Board, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, and
9any local air districts and regional water quality control boards in
10areas where well stimulation treatments, including acid well
11stimulation treatments and hydraulic fracturing treatments may
12occur, shall adopt rules and regulations specific to well stimulation
13treatments. The rules and regulations shall include, but are not
14limited to, revisions, as needed, to the rules and regulations
15governing construction of wells and well casings to ensure
integrity
16of wells, well casings, and the geologic and hydrologic isolation
17
of the oil and gas formation during and following well stimulation
18treatments, and full disclosure of the composition and disposition
19of well stimulation fluids, including, but not limited to, hydraulic
20fracturing fluids, acid well stimulation fluids, and flowback fluids.
21(B) The rules and regulations shall additionally include
22provisions for an independent entity or person to perform the
23notification requirements pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision
24(a) of Section 3160.2, for the operator to provide for baseline and
25followup water testing upon request as specified in paragraph (7)
26of subdivision (a) of Section 3160.2.
27(C) (i) In order to identify the acid matrix stimulation treatments
28that are subject to this section, the rules and regulations shall
29establish
threshold values for acid volume applied per treated foot
30of any individual stage of the well or for total acid volume of the
31treatment, or both, based upon a quantitative assessment of the
32risks posed by acid matrix stimulation treatments that exceed the
33specified threshold value or values in order to prevent, as far as
34possible, damage to life, health, property, and natural resources
35pursuant to Section 3106.
36(ii) On or before January 1, 2020, the division shall review and
37evaluate the threshold values for acid volume applied per treated
38foot and total acid volume of the treatment, based upon data
39collected in the state, for acid matrix stimulation treatments. The
40division shall revise the values through the regulatory process, if
P21 1necessary, based upon the best available scientific information,
2including the results of the independent
scientific study pursuant
3to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section
43160.
5(2) Full disclosure of the composition and disposition of well
6stimulation fluids, including, but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing
7fluids and acid stimulation treatment fluids, shall, at a minimum,
8include:
9(A) The date of the well stimulation treatment.
10(B) A complete list of the names, Chemical Abstract Service
11(CAS) numbers, and maximum concentration, in percent by mass,
12of each and every chemical constituent of the well stimulation
13treatment fluids used. If a CAS number does not exist for a
14chemical constituent, the well owner or operator may provide
15another unique identifier, if available.
16(C) The trade name, the supplier, concentration, and a brief
17description of the intended purpose of each additive contained in
18the well stimulation treatment fluid.
19(D) The total volume of base fluid used during the well
20stimulation treatment, and the identification of whether the base
21fluid is water suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes, water
22not suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes, or a fluid other
23than water.
24(E) The source, volume, and specific composition and
25disposition of all water, including, but not limited to, all water
26used as base fluid during the well stimulation treatment and
27recovered from the well following the well stimulation treatment
28that is not otherwise reported as produced water
pursuant to Section
293227. Any repeated reuse of treated or untreated water for well
30stimulation treatments and well stimulation treatment-related
31activities shall be identified.
32(F) The specific composition and disposition of all well
33stimulation treatment fluids, including waste fluids, other than
34water.
35(G) Any radiological components or tracers injected into the
36well as part of, or in order to evaluate, the well stimulation
37treatment, a description of the recovery method, if any, for those
38components or tracers, the recovery rate, and specific disposal
39information for recovered components or tracers.
40(H) The radioactivity of the recovered well stimulation fluids.
P22 1(I) The location of the portion of the well subject to the well
2stimulation treatment and the extent of the fracturing or other
3modification, if any, surrounding the well induced by the treatment.
4(b) (1) Through the consultation process described in paragraph
5(1) of subdivision (a), the division shall collaboratively identify
6and delineate the existing statutory authority and regulatory
7responsibility relating to well stimulation treatments and well
8stimulation treatment-related activities of the Department of Toxic
9Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, any local air
10districts, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department
11of Resources Recycling and Recovery, any regional water quality
12control board, and other public entities, as applicable. This shall
13specify how the respective authority,
responsibility, and notification
14and reporting requirements associated with well stimulation
15treatments and well stimulation treatment-related activities are
16divided among each public entity.
17(2) On or before January 1, 2015, the division shall enter into
18formal agreements with the Department of Toxic Substances
19Control, the State Air Resources Board, any local air districts where
20well stimulation treatments may occur, the State Water Resources
21Control Board, the Department of Resources Recycling and
22Recovery, and any regional water quality control board where well
23stimulation treatments may occur, clearly delineating respective
24authority, responsibility, and notification and reporting
25requirements associated with well stimulation treatments and well
26stimulation treatment-related activities, including air and water
27quality monitoring,
in order to promote regulatory transparency
28and accountability.
29(3) The agreements under paragraph (2) shall specify the
30appropriate public entity responsible for air and water quality
31monitoring and the safe and lawful disposal of materials in
32landfills, include trade secret handling protocols, if necessary, and
33provide for ready public access to information related to well
34stimulation treatments and related activities.
35(4) Regulations, if necessary, shall be revised appropriately to
36incorporate the agreements under paragraph (2).
Section 3160.2 is added to the Public Resources Code,
38to read:
(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation,
40prior to performing a well stimulation treatment, the operator shall
P23 1apply for a permit to perform a well stimulation treatment with
2the supervisor or district deputy. The well stimulation treatment
3permit application shall contain the pertinent data the supervisor
4requires on printed forms supplied by the division or on other
5forms acceptable to the supervisor. The information provided in
6the well stimulation treatment permit application shall include, but
7is not limited to, the following:
8(A) The well identification number and location.
9(B) The time period during which the well stimulation treatment
10is planned to occur.
11(C) A water management plan that shall include all of the
12following:
13(i) An estimate of the amount of water to be used in the
14treatment. Estimates of water to be recycled following the well
15stimulation treatment may be included.
16(ii) The anticipated source of the water to be used in the
17treatment.
18(iii) The disposal method identified for the recovered water in
19the flowback fluid from the treatment that is not produced water
20included in the statement pursuant to Section 3227.
21(D) A complete list of
the names, Chemical Abstract Service
22(CAS) numbers, and estimated concentrations, in percent by mass,
23of each and every chemical constituent of the well stimulation
24fluids anticipated to be used in the treatment. If a CAS number
25does not exist for a chemical constituent, the well owner or operator
26may provide another unique identifier, if available.
27(E) The planned location of the well stimulation treatment on
28the well bore, the estimated length, height, and direction of the
29induced fractures or other planned modification, if any, and the
30location of existing wells, including plugged and abandoned wells,
31that may be impacted by these fractures and modifications.
32(F) A groundwater monitoring plan. Required groundwater
33monitoring in the vicinity of the well subject to the well
stimulation
34treatment shall be satisfied by one of the following:
35(i) The well is located within the boundaries of an existing oil
36or gas field-specific or regional monitoring program developed
37pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code.
38(ii) The well is located within the boundaries of an existing oil
39or gas field-specific or regional monitoring program developed
P24 1and implemented by the well owner or operator meeting the model
2criteria established pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code.
3(iii) Through a well-specific monitoring plan implemented by
4the owner or operator meeting the model criteria established
5pursuant to Section 10783 of the Water Code, and submitted to
6the appropriate regional water board for review.
7(G) The estimated amount of treatment-generated waste
8materials that are not reported in subparagraph (C) and an identified
9disposal method for the waste materials.
10(2) (A) At the supervisor’s discretion, and if applied for
11
concurrently, the well stimulation treatment permit described in
12this section may be combined with the well drilling and related
13operation notice of intent required pursuant to Section 3203 into
14a single combined authorization. The portion of the combined
15authorization applicable to well stimulation shall meet all of the
16requirements of a well stimulation treatment permit pursuant to
17this section.
18(B) Where the supervisor determines that the activities proposed
19in the well stimulation treatment permit or the combined
20authorization have met all of the requirements of Division 13
21(commencing with Section 21000), and have been fully described,
22analyzed, evaluated, and mitigated, no additional review or
23mitigation shall be required.
24(C) The time period available
for approval of the portion of the
25combined authorization applicable to well stimulation is subject
26to the terms of this section, and not Section 3203.
27(3) (A) The supervisor or district deputy shall review the well
28stimulation treatment permit application and may approve the
29permit if the application is complete. An incomplete application
30shall not be approved.
31(B) A well stimulation treatment or repeat well stimulation
32treatment shall not be performed on any well without a valid permit
33that the supervisor or district deputy has approved.
34(C) In considering the permit application, the supervisor shall
35evaluate the quantifiable risk of the well stimulation treatment.
36(4) The well stimulation treatment permit shall expire one year
37from the date that the permit is issued.
38(5) Within five business days of issuing a permit to perform a
39well stimulation treatment, the division shall provide a copy of the
40permit to the appropriate regional water quality control board or
P25 1boards and to the local planning entity where the well, including
2its subsurface portion, is located. The division shall also post the
3permit on the publicly accessible portion of its Internet Web site
4within five business days of issuing a permit.
5(6) (A) It is the policy of the state that a copy of the approved
6well stimulation treatment permit and information on the available
7water sampling and testing be
provided to every tenant of the
8surface property and every surface property owner or authorized
9agent of that owner whose property line location is one of the
10following:
11(i) Within a 1,500 foot radius of the wellhead.
12(ii) Within 500 feet from the horizontal projection of all
13subsurface portions of the designated well to the surface.
14(B) (i) The well owner or operator shall identify the area
15requiring notification and shall contract with an independent entity
16or person who is responsible for, and shall perform, the notification
17required pursuant to subparagraph (A).
18(ii) The independent entity or person shall identify the
19individuals
notified, the method of notification, the date of the
20notification, a list of those notified, and shall provide a list of this
21information to the division.
22(iii) The performance of the independent entity or persons shall
23be subject to review and audit by the division.
24(C) A well stimulation treatment shall not commence before 30
25calendar days after the permit copies pursuant to subparagraph (A)
26are provided.
27(7) (A) A property owner notified pursuant to paragraph (6)
28may request water quality sampling and testing from a designated
29qualified contractor on any water well suitable for drinking or
30irrigation purposes and on any surface water suitable for drinking
31or irrigation purposes as
follows:
32(i) Baseline measurements prior to the commencement of the
33well stimulation treatment.
34(ii) Followup measurements after the well stimulation treatment
35on the same schedule as the pressure testing of the well casing of
36the treated well.
37(B) The State Water Resources Control Board shall designate
38one or more qualified independent third-party contractor or
39contractors that adhere to board-specified standards and protocols
40to perform the water sampling and testing. The well owner or
P26 1operator shall pay for the sampling and testing. The sampling and
2testing performed shall be subject to audit and review by the State
3Water Resources Control Board or applicable regional water quality
4control board, as appropriate.
5(C) The results of the water testing shall be provided to the
6division, appropriate regional water board, and the property owner
7or authorized agent. A tenant notified pursuant to paragraph (6)
8shall receive information on the results of the water testing to the
9extent authorized by his or her lease and, where the tenant has
10lawful use of the ground or surface water identified in subparagraph
11(A), the tenant may independently contract for similar groundwater
12or surface water testing.
13(8) The division shall retain a list of the entities and property
14owners notified pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6).
15(9) The operator shall provide notice to the division at least 72
16hours prior to the actual start of the well stimulation
treatment in
17order for the division to witness the treatment.
18(b) If a well stimulation treatment is performed, a supplier that
19performs any part of the treatment or provides additives directly
20to the operator for a well stimulation treatment shall furnish the
21operator with information suitable for public disclosure needed
22for the operator to comply with subdivision (c). This information
23shall be provided as soon as possible but no later than 30 days
24following the conclusion of the well stimulation treatment.
25(c) (1) Within 60 days following cessation of a well stimulation
26
treatment, the operator shall post or cause to be posted to an
27Internet Web site designated or maintained by the division and
28accessible to the public all of the well stimulation fluid composition
29and disposition information required to be collected pursuant to
30rules and regulations adopted under subdivision (a) of Section
313160.1, including well identification number and location. This
32shall include the collected water quality data, which the operator
33shall report electronically to the State Water Resources Control
34Board.
35(2) (A) The division shall commence the process to develop
36an Internet Web site for operators to report the information required
37under this section. The Internet Web site shall be capable of
38organizing the reported information in a format, such as a
39spreadsheet, that allows the public
to easily search and aggregate,
40to the extent practicable, each type of information required to be
P27 1collected pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 3160.1 using search
2functions on that Internet Web site. The Internet Web site shall be
3functional within two years of the Department of Technology’s
4approval of a Feasibility Study Report or appropriation authority
5to fund the development of the Internet Web site, whichever occurs
6latest, but no later than January 1, 2016.
7(B) The division may direct reporting to an alternative Internet
8Web site developed by the Ground Water Protection Council and
9the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission in the interim
10until approval or appropriation authority pursuant to subparagraph
11(A) occur. Prior to the implementation of the division’s Internet
12Web site, the division shall obtain the data reported by
operators
13to the alternative Internet Web site and make it available in an
14organized electronic format to the public no later than 15 days
15after it is reported to the alternative Web site.
16(d) The operator is responsible for compliance with this section.
17(e) (1) All geologic features within a distance reflecting an
18appropriate safety factor of the fracture zone for well stimulation
19treatments that fracture the formation and that have the potential
20to either limit or facilitate the migration of fluids outside of the
21fracture zone shall be identified and added to the well history.
22Geologic features include seismic faults identified by the California
23Geologic Survey.
24(2) For the purposes of this section,
the “fracture zone” is
25defined as the volume surrounding the well bore where fractures
26were created or enhanced by the well stimulation treatment. The
27safety factor shall be at least five and may vary depending upon
28geologic knowledge.
29(3) The division shall review the geologic features important to
30assessing well stimulation treatments identified in the independent
31study pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 3160.
32Upon completion of the review, the division shall revise the
33regulations governing the reporting of geologic features pursuant
34to this subdivision accordingly.
35(f) (1) Public disclosure of well stimulation treatment fluid
36information claimed to contain trade secrets is governed by Section
371060 of the Evidence Code, or the Uniform
Trade Secrets Act
38(Title 5 (commencing with Section 3426) of Part 1 of Division 4
39of the Civil Code), and the California Public Records Act (Chapter
P28 13.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of
2the Government Code).
3(2) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, none of the
4following information shall be protected as a trade secret:
5(A) The identities of the chemical constituents of additives,
6including CAS identification numbers.
7(B) The concentrations of the additives in the well stimulation
8treatment fluids.
9(C) Any air or other pollution monitoring data.
10(D) Health and
safety data associated with well stimulation
11treatment fluids.
12(E) The chemical composition of the flowback fluid.
13(3) If a trade secret claim is invalid or invalidated, the division
14shall release the information to the public by revising the
15information released pursuant to subdivision (c). The supplier shall
16notify the division of any change in status within 30 days.
17(4) (A) If a supplier believes that information regarding a
18chemical constituent of a well stimulation fluid is a trade secret,
19the supplier shall nevertheless disclose the information to the
20division in conjunction with a well stimulation treatment permit
21application, if not previously disclosed, within 30 days following
22cessation of
well stimulation on a well, and shall notify the division
23in writing of that belief.
24(B) A trade secret claim shall not be made after initial disclosure
25of the information to the division.
26(C) To comply with the public disclosure requirements of this
27section, the supplier shall indicate where trade secret information
28has been withheld and provide substitute information for public
29disclosure. The substitute information shall be a list, in any order,
30
of the chemical constituents of the additive, including CAS
31identification numbers. The division shall review and approve the
32supplied substitute information.
33(D) This subdivision does not permit a supplier to refuse to
34disclose the information required pursuant to this section to the
35division.
36(5) In order to substantiate the trade secret claim, the supplier
37shall provide information to the division that shows all of the
38following:
P29 1(A) The extent to which the trade secret information is known
2by the supplier’s employees, others involved in the supplier’s
3business and outside the supplier’s business.
4(B) The measures taken by the supplier to guard
the secrecy of
5the trade secret information.
6(C) The value of the trade secret information to the supplier and
7its competitors.
8(D) The amount of effort or money the supplier expended
9developing the trade secret information and the ease or difficulty
10with which the trade secret information could be acquired or
11duplicated by others.
12(6) If the division determines that the information provided in
13support of a request for trade secret protection pursuant to
14paragraph (5) is incomplete, the division shall notify the supplier
15and the supplier shall have 30 days to complete the submission.
16An incomplete submission does not meet the substantive criteria
17for trade secret designation.
18(7) If the division determines that the information provided in
19support of a request for trade secret protection does not meet the
20substantive criteria for trade secret designation, the department
21shall notify the supplier by certified mail of its determination. The
22division shall release the information to the public, but not earlier
23than 60 days after the date of mailing the determination, unless,
24prior to the expiration of the 60-day period, the supplier obtains
25an action in an appropriate court for a declaratory judgment that
26the information is subject to protection or for a preliminary
27injunction prohibiting disclosure of the information to the public
28and provides notice to the division of the court order.
29(8) The supplier is not required to disclose trade secret
30information
to the operator.
31(9) Upon receipt of a request for the release of trade secret
32information to the public, the following procedure applies:
33(A) The division shall notify the supplier of the request in
34
writing by certified mail, return receipt requested.
35(B) The division shall release the information to the public, but
36not earlier than 60 days after the date of mailing the notice of the
37request for information, unless, prior to the expiration of the 60-day
38period, the supplier obtains an action in an appropriate court for a
39declaratory judgment that the information is subject to protection
40or for a preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of the
P30 1information to the public and provides notice to the division of
2that action.
3(10) The division shall develop a timely procedure to provide
4trade secret information in the following circumstances:
5(A) To an officer or employee of the division, the state, local
6governments,
including, but not limited to, local air districts, or
7the United States, in connection with the official duties of that
8officer or employee, to a health professional under any law for the
9protection of health, or to contractors with the division or other
10government entities and their employees if, in the opinion of the
11division, disclosure is necessary and required for the satisfactory
12performance of a contract, for performance of work, or to protect
13health and safety.
14(B) To a health professional in the event of an emergency or to
15diagnose or treat a patient.
16(C) In order to protect public health, to any health professional,
17toxicologist, or epidemiologist who is employed in the field of
18public health and who provides a written statement of need. The
19written statement of need
shall include the public health purposes
20of the disclosure and shall explain the reason the disclosure of the
21specific chemical and its concentration is required.
22(D) A health professional may share trade secret information
23with other persons as may be professionally necessary, in order to
24diagnose or treat a patient, including, but not limited to, the patient
25and other health professionals, subject to state and federal laws
26restricting disclosure of medical records including, but not limited
27to, Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 56.10) of Part 2.6 of
28Division 1 of the Civil Code.
29(E) For purposes of this paragraph, “health professional” means
30any person licensed or certified pursuant to Division 2
31(commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions
32Code, the
Osteopathic Initiative Act, the Chiropractic Initiative
33Act, or the Emergency Medical Services System and the
34Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act (Division 2.5
35(commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code).
36(F) A person in possession of, or access to, confidential trade
37secret information pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision
38may disclose this information to any person who is authorized to
39receive it. A written confidentiality agreement shall not be required.
P31 1(g) A well granted confidential status pursuant to Section 3234
2shall not be required to disclose well stimulation treatment fluid
3information pursuant to subdivision (c) until the confidential status
4of the well ceases. Notwithstanding the confidential status of a
5well, it is public information that
a well will be or has been subject
6to a well stimulation treatment.
7(h) The division shall perform random periodic spot check
8inspections to ensure that the information provided on well
9stimulation treatments is accurately reported, including that the
10estimates provided prior to the commencement of the well
11stimulation treatment are reasonably consistent with the well
12history.
13(i) Where the division shares jurisdiction over a well or the well
14stimulation treatment on a well with a federal entity, the division’s
15rules and regulations shall apply in addition to all applicable federal
16laws and regulations.
17(j) This article does not relieve the division or any other agency
18from complying with any other provision of
existing laws,
19regulations, and orders.
20(k) Well stimulation treatments used for routine maintenance
21of wells associated with underground storage facilities where
22natural gas is injected into and withdrawn from depleted or partially
23depleted oil or gas reservoirs pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section
243403.5 are not subject to this section.
Section 3161 of the Public Resources Code is repealed.
Section 3161 is added to the Public Resources Code,
29to read:
(a) All well stimulation treatments shall be prohibited
31until the scientific study pursuant to Section 3160 is completed
32and all of the requirements of this section are met.
33(b) No later than six months after the scientific study is
34complete, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall
35convene a committee to review the scientific study. The committee
36shall include a representative from all ofbegin insert theend insert following:
37(1) The Natural Resources Agency.
38(2) The California Environmental Protection Agency.
39(3) The State Air Resources Control Board.
40(4) The State Water Resources Control Board.
P32 1(5) The State Department of Public Health.
2(c) (1) After reviewing the scientific study as required under
3subdivision (b), the committee shall issue a tentative report,
4available to the public, evaluating the scientific study using the
5best scientific, health, environmental, and statistical information
6available, that shall include, but is not limited to, all of the
7following findings:
8(A) Whether the scientific study is based solely on the
best
9scientific, health, environmental, and statistical information
10available, and meets all of the requirements of subdivision (a) of
11Section 3160.
12(B) Whether the regulations adopted pursuant tobegin insert subdivision
13(d) ofend insert Sectionbegin delete 3160.1end deletebegin insert 3160 end insertare sufficient to ensure that the damage
14and risks associated with well stimulation treatments, and the
15increased oil and gas development as a result of these treatments,
16do not pose a risk to, or impairment of, the public health and
17welfare or the environmental and economic sustainability of the
18state.
19(C) Whether there are measures in place to ensure that well
20stimulation treatments, and the increased oil and gas development
21as a result of these treatments, will not impede progress for
22achieving the greenhouse gas reduction targets under the California
23Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5
24(commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
25(D) Whether other specific measures are in place to ensure that
26well stimulation treatments within the state do not pose a risk to,
27or impairment of, the public health and welfare or the
28
environmental and economic sustainability of the state.
29(2) The public shall have 60 days to submit comments to the
30committee regarding the tentative report and the committee shall
31give full consideration to all of the comments received.
32(3) (A) If the findings in the report conclude that well
33stimulation treatments pose a risk to, or impairment of, the public
34health and welfare or to the environmental and economic
35sustainability of the state, the committee may require an additional
36study to address any areas of concern and the prohibition on well
37stimulation treatments pursuant to subdivision (a) shall remain in
38effect.
39(B) If the findings in the report conclude that well stimulation
40
treatments do not pose a risk to, or impairment of, the public health
P33 1and welfare or to the environmental and economic sustainability
2of the state, the committee shall certify the report as final.
3(d) Upon certification by the committee, the report shall be
4provided to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the
5Legislature.
6(e) (1) Upon receipt of the report, the Governor shall determine
7whether specific measures are in place to ensure that well
8stimulation treatments within the state do not pose a risk to, or
9impairment of, the public health and welfare or to the
10environmental and economic sustainability of the state, and shall
11provide specific findings of this determination to the Legislature.
12(2) If the Governor’s findings conclude that there are not specific
13measures in place as described in paragraph (1), the prohibition
14on well stimulation treatments pursuant to subdivision (a) shall
15
remain in effect.
16(3) If the Governor’s findings conclude that there are specific
17measures in place as described in paragraph (1), the prohibition
18of well stimulation treatments pursuant to subdivision (a) shall
19end on the date provided in subdivision (f).
20(4) A person who submitted comments to the committee or
21provided testimony at a hearing held by the division pursuant to
22begin delete paragraph (9) ofend delete subdivisionbegin delete (a)end deletebegin insert (b)end insert of Section 3160 may seek
23judicial review of the Governor’s findings within 90 days after the
24date that the
findings are issued. The Governor’s findings shall be
25considered final when all pending legal challenges are resolved
26and the Governor’s findings based on clear and convincing
27begin delete evidence,end deletebegin insert
evidenceend insert are affirmed.
28(f) (1) This section shall become inoperative 90 days after the
29date the Governor issues the findings pursuant to paragraph (3) of
30subdivision (e) or, if judicial review pursuant to paragraph (4) of
31subdivision (e) is requested, on the date thebegin delete Governor’s findings begin insert judicial decision affirming the Governor’s findings isend insert
32areend delete
33 consideredbegin delete final.end deletebegin insert final and nonappealable.end insert
34(2) This section
shall be repealed on January 1 immediately
35following the date it becomes inoperative under paragraph (1).
36(g) (1) This section shall not be interpreted to impair or infringe
37any vested right to conduct or continue to conduct a well
38stimulation treatment.
P34 1(2) The division shall adopt a formal process to determine
2whether a person has a vested right to perform a well stimulation
3treatment.
4(3)
end delete
5begin insert(2)end insert A person claiming a vested right to perform a well
6stimulation treatment has the burden of proof, by clear and
7convincing evidence, that he or she had a vested rightbegin delete and may begin insert to perform a well
8request a public hearing with the division.end delete
9stimulation before January 1, 2015. The past or current ownership
10or operation of an existing well does not create a vested right for
11future well stimulation. The occurrence of past well stimulation
12events does not create a vested right for future well stimulation.
13The claimant shall submit to the Secretary of the Natural Resources
14Agency all necessary evidence to demonstrate a vested right,
15including, at minimum, all of the following:end insert
16(A) All necessary discretionary permits have been obtained and
17the activity will not result in an intensification or expansion of the
18permitted activity.
19(B) The completion of substantial construction work in
20preparation for well stimulation.
21(C) The incurrence of substantial costs and liabilities in good
22faith reliance on the division’s approval granted before January
231, 2015.
24(D) Any other information deemed necessary by the secretary
25to determine whether a vested right exists.
26(3) A person claiming a vested right may request a public
27hearing before the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
28(4) If a hearing is requested, the
Natural Resources Agency
29shall notify affected local governments and all known interested
30parties of the date, time, and location of the public hearing and
31post the same information to a publicly accessible part of the
32agency’s Internet Web site at least 20 days in advance of the
33hearing. Any member of the public may submit comments or
34evidence regarding the existence of a vested right.
35(4)
end delete
36begin insert(5)end insert A person claiming a vested right shall not perform a well
37stimulation treatment until thebegin delete divisionend deletebegin insert
Secretaryend insertbegin insert
of the Natural
38Resources Agencyend insert makes a final determination that the person has
39a vested right.
P35 1(6) If the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency determines,
2by clear and convincing evidence, that a vested right exists, the
3prohibition on well stimulation with respect to the claimant shall
4apply after a reasonable amortization period, to be determined by
5the secretary. If the secretary determines that there is no clear and
6convincing evidence that a vested right exists, the secretary shall
7deny the claim.
8(7) (A) Any interested party may challenge the Secretary of the
9Natural Resources Agency’s determination that a vested right
10exists in superior court.
11(B) The well owner or operator may challenge the secretary’s
12determination that a vested right does not exist in the superior
13court.
14(h) The division shall not approve as complete any Interim Well
15Stimulation Treatment Notice forms, or make any other approval
16to authorize a well stimulation treatment, on or after January 1,
172015.
18(i) This section does not preempt local government’s land use
19authority to regulate or prohibit oil and gas operations, including
20well stimulation treatments and related activities.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
23Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
24the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
25district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
26infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
27for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
28the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
29the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
30Constitution.
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