U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

Representative Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) issued the following statement after the Obama administration issued new rules on hydraulic fracturing on federal lands:

“For over 65 years, states have been safely and efficiently regulating hydraulic fracturing on both private and federal lands.  Consistent with previous actions, the Obama administration has issued another one-size-fits-all approach to regulating oil & gas activity on federal lands.  They’ve failed to take into account the fact that states are better suited to understand their local geology, which means they’re more capable of adopting rules and regulations for the oil & gas activity occurring in their respective states.  The energy renaissance occurring across Ohio and the United States is occurring despite the administration’s policies, not because of them.  I’m disappointed the administration chose to issue these new rules that will only lead to more government red-tape, increased costs, and lost opportunities for hardworking Americans."