Quigley Introduces Legislation to Hold Hydrofracking Industry Accountable

BREATHE Act and FRESHER Act Would Protect Our Water and Air

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) helped introduce the Bringing Reductions to Energy's Airborne Toxic Health Effect (BREATHE) Act and the Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydrofracking Environmental Regulation (FRESHER) Act, which would ensure the safety and health of the communities where the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, process is already taking place.

"We must preserve our environment and uphold the tenants of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act so that future generations can enjoy the same natural resources we have today. The BREATHE Act and FRESHER Act will protect our land, air and water from the serious dangers of fracking by enforcing the laws already on the books that are intended to keep us safe and healthy," said Rep. Quigley.

Currently, oil and gas operators are exempt from provisions of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and numerous other environmental laws designed to protect our health and safety. The BREATHE and FRESHER Acts, introduced with Reps. Jared Polis (CO-02) and Matt Cartwright (PA-17), would ensure that the hydrofracking industry is subject to the same standards other industries must comply with as part of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws.

Quigley was an original cosponsor of the BREATHE Act last Congress.

The following organizations have endorsed this legislation: Physicians for Social Responsibility, Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Sierra Club, Earthworks, Breast Cancer Action, Clean Water Action, Environment America, Greenpeace, Nature Abounds, Oil Change International, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Citizens for Huerfano County, Clean Water Action Colorado, Erie Rising, Grassroots EnErgy activist Network, Holy Terror Farm, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, SOS Foundation, Western Colorado Congress of Mesa County, Western Slope Conservation Center and Wilderness Workshop.

Rep. Quigley has been a stalwart supporter of the environment during his three terms in Congress. He has worked to protect America's coastlines and offered legislation that would ensure any new off-shore drilling prioritizes environmental protection over speedy and dangerous extraction. He has spoken out on rising gas prices and the cost of foreign oil and last year offered an amendment to provide greater disclosure and transparency before the construction of oil and gas pipelines. He has consistently reiterated support for strong EPA regulation authority and protection of public health by voting against anti-regulatory, anti-environment legislation.