Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act of 2025
Summary
The "Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act of 2025" aims to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act by mandating testing of underground water sources near hydraulic fracturing sites. It requires those conducting fracking operations to test water sources before, during, and after operations. The bill also establishes a publicly accessible EPA database of testing results.
Expected Effects
This bill would likely increase the operational costs for oil, gas, and geothermal production companies due to the required testing and reporting. It could also lead to greater transparency and potentially reduce the risk of water contamination from fracking activities. This may lead to increased public confidence in the safety of fracking.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding potential water contamination from hydraulic fracturing.
- Enhanced protection of underground drinking water sources.
- Public access to data on water quality near fracking sites.
- Standardized testing protocols to ensure data reliability.
- Potential for early detection of contamination, allowing for quicker remediation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased operational costs for energy companies, potentially leading to higher energy prices.
- Possible delays in energy production due to testing requirements.
- Potential for conflicting data or interpretations of testing results.
- The one-mile radius exception may not be sufficient to protect all water sources.
- The definition of 'accessible' may lead to loopholes in testing requirements.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to protect public health through safe drinking water. Congress's authority to regulate activities that affect interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for regulating hydraulic fracturing, which often involves companies operating across state lines. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but the Safe Drinking Water Act already establishes a federal role in setting water quality standards, so this bill is an amendment within that existing framework.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).