Unfinished business in the regulation of shale gas production in the United States

• Negative externalities from shale gas production affect property owners and others living nearby.
• Governments have a range of regulatory options for addressing risks and harms.
• Governmental agencies often lack information for effective enforcement of regulations.
• The non-disclosure of fracturing fluids adversely affects emergency responders.
• Regulators can become more supportive of public health through greater oversight of extraction.

With increased drilling for natural gas, toxic chemicals used to fracture wells have been introduced into the environment accompanied by allegations of injuries. This article evaluates laws and regulations governing shale gas production to disclose ideas for offering further protection to people and the environment. The aim of the study is to offer state governments ideas for addressing contractual obligations of drilling operators, discerning health risks, disclosing toxic chemicals, and reporting sufficient information to detect problems and enforce regulations. The discussion suggests opportunities for state regulators to become more supportive of public health through greater oversight of shale gas extraction.