(a)(1)By July 1, 2014, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall convene an advisory committee to develop a report, based on the best scientific information available, relating to hydraulic fracturing. The advisory committee shall include two representatives from each of the following:
(A)The California Environmental Protection Agency.
(B)The Natural Resources Agency.
(C)The State Department of Public Health.
(D)Environmental justice organizations.
(E)The agriculture industry.
(F)The oil and gas industry.
(G)Two academic researchers with experience in hydraulic fracturing issues.
(H)Water agencies.
(2)The advisory committee shall address specific issues related to hydraulic fracturing in the report, which shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A description of hydraulic fracturing, and other enhanced oil
and gas recovery techniques.
(B)All potential health and environmental impacts related to hydraulic fracturing, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)The handling and disposition of produced water or wastewater.
(ii)Contamination of groundwater or surface water.
(iii)The supply and sources of water used in hydraulic fracturing and its impact on the state, regional, and local water supply.
(iv)Air quality impacts, including, but not limited to, particulate and volatile organic compound and methane releases.
(v)Impacts on climate change and emissions of greenhouse gases, including the goals set in the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
(vi)The potential for migration of gases and fluids through geologic formations.
(vii)The potential for generating seismic activity, both as a result of increased hydraulic fracturing and the disposal of produced wastewater into underground injection wells.
(viii)The use, handling, and accidental spill of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.
(ix)Impacts on endangered species and their habitat.
(C)All potential economic impacts of increased hydraulic fracturing operations and other enhanced oil and gas recovery methods in the state.
(D)All potential effects on communities most likely to be negatively affected by the impacts of hydraulic fracturing.
(E)A review of the regulations affecting hydraulic fracturing and an analysis of whether these are adequate to address the issues identified in this report.
(F)Recommendations for emergency planning and mechanisms necessary to ensure adequate and fully funded responses to emergencies related to hydraulic fracturing operations.
(G)Recommendations for regulatory and statutory changes needed to address the issues covered in the report.
(3)The advisory committee shall develop the report in the context of current and foreseeable hydraulic fracturing operations in the state, such as potential operations in the Monterey shale and northern California gas reservoirs.
(b)Prior to finalizing the report, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall seek independent peer review by persons of the scientific and academic community commonly acknowledged to be experts on the subjects under consideration and possessing the knowledge and expertise to critique the scientific validity of the
report.
(c)A draft of the final report shall be made available for public comment for a period of no less than 120 days.
(d)The final report shall be completed on or before January 1, 2016, and a copy shall be provided to the Governor and the Legislature by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the Secretary for Environmental Protection on or before that date.
(e)Upon completion of the report, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall make a determination not later than January 1, 2019, as to whether, and under what conditions, hydraulic fracturing is permitted within the state. The determination shall be made only after measures are in place to
ensure that any activities related to hydraulic fracturing do not pose a risk to the public health and welfare, environment, or economy of the state.