Ongoing news in the UK over fracking, with Prime Minister David Cameron weighing in. A quick search of the forums showed that, apart from an attempt two and a half years ago to place a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, there hasn't been a real push on this. I'm somewhat of a NatSov'ist in the WA and always prefer international legislation where power is left devolved to national governments; I hope this proposal is neither too restrictive in its approach to the shale gas industry nor to remiss in its attempt to provide a minimum baseline of expectations for said industry.. within a national government setting rather than a World Assembly sub-committee setting.
I also really wanted to work in a "All this has happened before, and all of it will happen again" reference. But couldn't figure out how.
I also really wanted to work in a "All this has happened before, and all of it will happen again" reference. But couldn't figure out how.
Thoughts, etc welcome.
Eighth Draft
Fracking Protocol
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.
CATEGORY: Environmental
INDUSTRY AFFECTED: All Businesses
PROPOSED BY: Aligned Planets
DESCRIPTION
The General Assembly,
DEFINING hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as the process of creating fractures in rock formations to extract sources of energy;
AWARE fracking may lead to increased risk to resident populations and the environment, including from groundwater contamination and induced seismic activity, at operational sites;
REQUIRING member states to mitigate associated risks to protect resident populations and the environment;
HEREBY:
MANDATES member states enact legislation requiring, where appropriate, operators of fracking sites to:
- adopt industrial best practices and optimal safety standards;
- monitor background seismic activity for induced seismic events, and take necessary action to mitigate risks;
- minimise site contamination, including from accidental spills and flowback wastewater discharge, and to treat and prevent any further spread of contamination;
- compensate displaced resident populations prior to relocation and restore local environments upon cessation of operations;
- liaise with relevant WA agencies to ensure compliance under this mandate;
RECOMMENDS member states hypothecate a proportion of fracking revenues to enhance and promote local environments once operations have ceased, and to develop local education and employment opportunities.
The Fracking Protocol explicitly ensures NatSov control over fracking whilst requiring member states to enact legislation providing for minimum operational standards.There is no micro-management of national industry.If your nation does not use shale gas then you obviously are not affected by this legislation.
b]Fracking Protocol[/b]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.
CATEGORY: Environmental
INDUSTRY AFFECTED: All Businesses
PROPOSED BY: Aligned Planets
DESCRIPTION
The General Assembly,
DEFINING hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as the process of creating fractures in rock formations to extract sources of energy;
AWARE fracking may lead to increased risk to resident populations and the environment, including from groundwater contamination and induced seismic activity, at operational sites;
WANTING to provide member nations with legislative requirements to mitigate associated risk and to protect resident populations and the environment;
HEREBY:
MANDATES member states enact legislation requiring, where appropriate, operators of fracking sites to:
- adopt industrial best practices and optimal safety standards;
- monitor background seismic activity for induced seismic events;
- minimise site contamination, including from accidental spills and flowback wastewater discharge, and to treat and prevent any further spread of contamination;
- appropriately restore local environments and compensate displaced resident populations once operations have ceased;
- liaise with relevant WA agencies to ensure compliance under this mandate;
RECOMMENDS member states hypothecate a proportion of fracking revenue to enhance and promote local environments once operations have ceased, and to develop local education and employment opportunities.Hydraulic Fracturing Act
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.
Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as the process of creating fractures in rock formations to extract sources of energy;
AWARE that fracking has the potential to increase the risk of hazards to the environment and to resident populations;
CONCERNED over the risks arising from fracking-related hazards to the environment and to resident populations, and wanting to provide a standard international operational framework for the industry;
HEREBY:
MANDATES member states enact legislation requiring, where appropriate, operators of fracking sites to:
- adopt industrial best practices and optimal safety standards;
- monitor background seismic activity for induced seismic events;
- minimise site contamination, including from accidental spills and flowback wastewater discharge, and to treat and prevent the further spread of contamination if such is discovered;
- restore appropriately local environments once operations have ceased and to appropriately compensate displaced resident peoples;
- liaise with relevant WA agencies to ensure compliance under this mandate;
RECOMMENDS that member states hypothecate a proportion of fracking revenue to aid in restoring and enhancing local environments once site operations have ceased, and to provide for community development funds with an emphasis on enhancing local education and employment opportunities;
PROVIDES that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to limit the rights of member states to further regulate their hydraulic fracturing industry.Hydraulic Fracturing Act
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.
Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING:
- hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as a mechanical process that injects pressurised fluids, proppants and other materials into rock to extract sources of energy;
AWARE that fracking can increase the risk of hazards to the environment and to resident local populations;
HEREBY:
MANDATES member states enact legislation requiring operators of fracking sites to:
- provide detailed fracking operational proposals for approval through appropriate national oversight frameworks, ensuring adoption of industrial best practices and optimal safety standards;
- monitor background seismicity events at all times at operational fracking sites with these subject to a three-tiered system of "stop, caution, and go" so that operations can be quickly paused and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity are observed;
- ensure that site contamination is kept to within regulated levels and to take all possible measures to treat and prevent the further spread of contamination if such is discovered;
- take all remedial and preventative actions appropriate to restore local environments once fracking operations have terminated and to appropriately compensate displaced local peoples;
FURTHER REQUIRES member states liaise with the:
- International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) and Joint Water Resources Management Panel (JWRMP):
- to protect sub-national water resources from contamination at fracking sites;- Nuclear Energy Safety Commission (NESC):
- to assess fracking sites for any issues relating to waste product disposal, radiation containment and structural integrity;- Protection of Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and World Assembly Endangered Species Committee (WAESC):
- to survey and protect indigenous flora and fauna at fracking sites;- World Assembly Disaster Bureau (WADB):
- to develop emergency contingency response plans in preparation for possible fracking disasters;
RECOMMENDS that:
- the remedial action level for the three-tiered system (that is, the "stop line") be set at far below a perceptible surface event, but larger than the expected level generated by the fracturing of the rock;
- as the experience of applying this type of control to fracking operations develops, member states may adjust the trigger levels (the "stop line") provided that any adjustments are not at the expense of compromising the effectiveness of the controls;
- a proportion of annual revenues generated through fracking be hypothecated for the purposes of restoring and enhancing local environments once fracking operations at a site have ceased, and providing for community development funds with an emphasis on enhancing local education and employment opportunities;
PROVIDES that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to limit the rights of member states to further regulate their hydraulic fracturing industry.Shale Gas Act
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.
Category: Social Justice
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING:
- shale as finely stratified sedimentary rock that can be split easily;
- shale gas as natural gas found in shale rock;
- hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as a process that injects pressurised fluids, proppants and other materials into shale rock to extract shale gas;
AWARE that fracking operations can increase risk of hazards to the environment and to resident populations;
HEREBY:
REQUIRES member nations to enact legislation ensuring operators of fracking sites:
- submit detailed fracking plans for approval to their national government and adopt industrial best practices to ensure safety and efficiency;
- monitor background seismicity prior to, throughout, and after operations with these subject to a three-tiered safety system of "stop, caution, and go" so that operations can be quickly paused and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity are observed;
- take all remedial environmental actions appropriate to restore local landscapes once fracking operations have terminated and to appropriately compensate displaced peoples;
- ensure that site contamination is kept to within regulated levels and take all possible measures to treat and prevent the further spread of contamination if such is discovered;
AUTHORISES the following World Assembly bodies to assist national governments through the:
- International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) and Joint Water Resources Management Panel (JWRMP):
- extending both mandates to include establishing such protocols necessary to protect sub-national water resources from contamination at fracking sites;- Nuclear Energy Safety Commission (NESC):
- assessing fracking sites for any issues relating to waste product disposal, radiation containment and structural integrity;- Protection of Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and World Assembly Endangered Species Committee (WAESC):
- surveying and protecting indigenous flora and fauna at fracking sites;- World Assembly Disaster Bureau (WADB):
- recommending to national governments to suspend / not commence fracking operations;
- developing response plans for possible fracking disasters;
- researching techniques to better detect disasters and reduce danger of associated hazards;
RECOMMENDS that:
- the remedial action level for the tiered safety system (that is, the "stop line") be set at far below a perceptible surface event, but larger than the expected level generated by the fracturing of the rock;
- as the experience of applying this type of control to fracking operations develops, member nations may adjust the trigger levels (the "stop line") provided that any adjustments are not at the expense of compromising the effectiveness of the controls;
PROVIDES that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to limit the rights of member nations to enact laws relating to the further regulation of their national shale gas industry.Shale Gas Act
A resolution to develop industry around the world.
Category: Advancement of Industry
Area of Effect: Environmental Deregulation
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING:
- shale as finely stratified sedimentary rock formed from consolidated silts or clay that can be split easily into thin parallel layering;
- shale gas as natural gas (predominantly methane) found in shale rock;
- hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as a process that injects pressurised fluids, proppants and other materials into shale rock to create narrow fractures to allow shale gas to flow and be captured;
- tight oil as light crude oil contained within shale rock extracted through the fracking process not covered under this resolution;
- tight gas as natural gas produced from reservoir shale rock not covered under this resolution;
RECOGNIZING that the authority to create national energy policy resides with national governments of member nations and that shale gas exploitation will constitute differing proportions of member nations' energy policies with shale gas not utilised and / or existent in some member nations;
AWARE that fracking operations can be hazardous to the environment and to resident populations through increased risk of seismic activity, contamination of aquifers, atmospheric deterioration and other associated risk factors;
HEREBY:
REQUIRES that operators of fracking sites within member nations:
- ensure that potential site identifications are made in line with national legislation;
- submit detailed fracking plans (including but not limited to location, duration, risk factors, affected peoples and landscapes, projected costs and returns, support requirements) for approval to their national government;
- adopt industrial best practices to ensure safety and efficiency, liaising with relevant World Assembly bodies on issues where appropriate;
- review the available information on seismic faults in the area of a proposed site to minimise the risk of activating any fault by fracking;
- monitor background seismicity before operations commence with real time seismic monitoring continuing during and for 24 hours after operations, with these subject to a “traffic-light” regime, so that operations can be quickly paused and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity are observed;
- take all necessary steps to make remedial environmental actions to restore the local landscape once fracking operations at a site have terminated and to appropriately compensate displaced peoples who are required to relocate away from a site appropriated for fracking purposes;
- ensure that site contamination by injected fluid leakage, concentrations of radioactive isotopes and other contaminants is kept to within regulated levels and take all possible measures to treat and prevent the further spread of contamination if such is discovered;
AUTHORISES the following World Assembly bodies to assist national governments of member nations with:
- Joint Water Resources Management Panel (JWRMP):
- establishing such protocols necessary to protect aquifers from contamination at potential and operational fracking sites;- Nuclear Energy Safety Commission (NESC):
- assessing potential and operational fracking sites for any issues relating to waste product disposal, radiation containment and structural integrity;
- surveying and protecting indigenous flora and fauna at potential and operational fracking sites, in coordination with the Protection of Animal Welfare Society (PAWS);
- recommending to national governments to suspend / not commence fracking operations at a particular site;- World Assembly Disaster Bureau (WADB):
- developing response plans for reasonable possible fracking disasters, most likely aquifer contamination or earthquake hazard;
- researching techniques to better detect disasters, new technologies and structural improvements to reduce danger of hazards;
RECOMMENDS that:
- the remedial action level for the traffic-light system (that is, the "red light") be set at far below a perceptible surface event, but larger than the expected level generated by the fracturing of the rock, as an appropriately precautionary approach for the purposes of fracking operations for shale gas;
- as the experience of applying this type of control to fracking operations develops, member nations may adjust the trigger levels (the "red light") provided that any adjustments are not at the expense of compromising the effectiveness of the controls;
- consultations for future fracking sites be undertaken with interested parties within member nations to ensure that other kinds of disturbance such as traffic, lights and noise will be kept under control;
- member nations work towards internationally-approved standards of air and water quality, enacting legislation where appropriate;
PROVIDES that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to limit the rights of member nations to enact laws relating to the further regulation of their national shale gas industry.Shale Gas Act
A resolution to develop industry around the world.
Category: Advancement of Industry
Area of Effect: Environmental Deregulation
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING shale as soft finely stratified sedimentary rock formed from consolidated silts or clay that can be split easily into thin parallel layering;
DEFINING shale gas as a natural gas (predominantly methane) found in shale rock;
DEFINING hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as a technique that uses fluids, proppants and other materials, pumped at high pressure, into shale rock to create narrow fractures to allow shale gas to flow and be captured;
RECOGNIZING that the exploitation of shale rock hydrocarbons may constitute a proportion of one member nation's energy policy whilst may not be utilised or existent in another;
FURTHER RECOGNIZING that power to create national energy policy resides with national governments of member nations;
AWARE that the process of fracking can lead to increased seismic activity above the normal background level;
CONCERNED in regards to the threat of damage to property and loss of life due to earthquakes caused as a result of fracking operations in member nations;
HEREBY:
CREATES the World Assembly Panel on Fracking (WAPF) to:
- review and advise on proposed fracks within member nations;
- provide WAPF technicians, engineers and other support personnel to assist with the development of fracking within member nations;
- assist in disaster-relief / clean-up after a fracking-related incident;
- provide independent experts to assist operators on site if requested;
- share best practice information with operators across member nations;
- recommend to national governments to suspend / not commence fracking operations at a particular site;
REQUIRES that operators of fracking sites within member nations:
- ensure that potential site identifications are made in line with national legislation;
- submit a detailed fracking plan (including but not limited to location, duration, risk factors, affected peoples and landscapes, projected costs and returns, support requirements) for approval to the national government of the relevant member nation;
- also submit the aforementioned fracking plan to WAPF for review, comment and advice for the first five operations by each operator within a member nation;
- adopt industrial best practices to ensure safety;
- review the available information on seismic faults in the area of a proposed site to minimise the risk of activating any fault by fracking;
- monitor background seismicity before operations commence with real time seismic monitoring continuing during and for 24 hours after operations, with these subject to a “traffic-light” regime, so that operations can be quickly paused and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity is observed;
- take all necessary steps to make remedial environmental actions to restore the local landscape once fracking at a site has terminated;
- appropriately compensate displaced peoples who are required to relocate away from a site appropriated for fracking purposes;
- ensure that no significant contamination of aquifers or soil has occurred and take all possible measures to treat and prevent the further spread of contamination if such is discovered;
RECOMMENDS that:
- the remedial action level for the traffic-light system (that is, the "red light") be set at far below a perceptible surface event, but larger than the expected level generated by the fracturing of the rock, as an appropriately precautionary approach for the purposes of fracking operations for shale gas;
- as the experience of member nations in applying this type of control to fracking operations develops, it may well prove to be the case that it can be confirmed that trigger levels (the "red light") can be adjusted upwards without compromising the effectiveness of the controls;
- for the first five operations by each operator at each approved site, national governments of member nations have an independent expert from WAPF on site to observe the operator's conformance to the requirements of this resolution and to national government standards further relating to fracking;
- consultations for future fracking sites be undertaken with interested parties within member nations to ensure that other kinds of disturbance such as traffic, lights and noise will be kept under control;
- member nations work towards internationally-approved standards of air and water quality, enacting legislation where appropriate;
PROVIDES that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to limit the rights of member nations to enact laws relating to the further regulation of their national shale gas industry.Shale Gas Act
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.
Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All businesses
Proposed by: Aligned Planets
Description
The General Assembly,
DEFINING shale as soft finely stratified sedimentary rock formed from consolidated silts or clay that can be split easily into thin parallel layering;
DEFINING shale gas as a natural gas (predominantly methane) found in shale rock;
DEFINING hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, as a technique that uses water, pumped at high pressure, into shale rock to create narrow fractures to allow shale gas to flow and be captured;
RECOGNIZING that the exploitation of shale rock hydrocarbons may constitute a proportion of one member nation's energy policy whilst may not be utilised or existent in another;
FURTHER RECOGNIZING that power to create national energy policy resides with national governments of member nations;
AWARE that the process of fracking can lead to increased seismic activity above the normal background level;
CONCERNED in regards to the threat of damage to property and loss of life due to earthquakes caused as a result of fracking operations in member nations;
HEREBY:
REQUIRES that operators of fracking sites within member nations:
- submit a progressive fracking plan for approval to the national government of the relevant member nation;
- review the available information on seismic faults in the area of a proposed site to minimise the risk of activating any fault by fracking;
- monitor background seismicity before operations commence with real time seismic monitoring continuing during and for 24 hours after operations, with these subject to a “traffic-light” regime, so that operations can be quickly paused and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity is observed;
- take a more cautious approach to the duration and volumes of fluid used in the fracking itself, starting with the injection of small volumes of fluid and analysing the resulting data carefully before proceeding to the full frac;
- monitor the growth and spread of the frac away from the borehole to ensure the actual fracture is conforming to its design, remains contained, and far away from any aquifers;
RECOMMENDS that:[/list]
- the remedial action level for the traffic light system (that is, the "red light") be set at far below a perceptible surface event, but larger than the expected level generated by the fracturing of the rock, as an appropriately precautionary approach for the purposes of fracking operations for shale gas;
- for the first few operations, national governments of member nations have an independent expert on site to observe the operator's conformance to the requirements of this resolution and to national government standards further relating to fracking;
- consultations for future fracking sites be undertaken with interested parties within member nations to ensure that other kinds of disturbance such as traffic, lights and noise will be kept under control.