Fracking

However, hydraulic fracturing cannot move forward without legislative approval. Specifically, lawmakers must lift a moratorium on the practice of horizontal drilling. Given the current timeline, it's unlikely the Mining and Energy Commission will finish its work in time for lawmakers to make that decision in 2013. However, the issue has been a high profile one and therefore bears watching. 

(Update 2/27/13): The bill has received tentative approval from the Senate. A second vote is expected 2/27, which will send the measure to the House.

(Update 3/4/13): The bill has been passed by the Senate and is pending in the House Committee on Commerce. 

(Update 6/23/13): Both the House and Senate have passed versions of the bill, although the House restores many of the safeguards stripped out by the Senate bill. The two chambers are negotiating a compromise measure. 

(Update 7/2/13): The Senate has tentatively approved HB 94, which would  override the ability of the Mining and Energy Commission to write rules for fracking chemicals. In particular, it would prohibit the commission from writing rules that require full disclosure of those chemicals. That bill must still be heard by the state House. 

(Update 7/19/13): Negotiators for the state House and Senate have reached an agreement on a bill, SB 76, that tweaks the state's mining and energy law. The final bill does not "fast track" the fracking process as earlier bills did, but allow the Mining and Energy Commission to develop fracking rules before permits are issued. However, another bill, HB 74, would restrict public notice of the chemicals used in fracking procedures.