WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the release of the updated draft rule for hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells on federally managed lands by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):

“It’s my belief that the states are prudently regulating hydraulic fracturing, and that BLM’s revised rule should closely track state regulations.” Murkowski said. “Federal regulators seem to acknowledge as much by asking for comments on a process that would allow drilling companies to follow state and tribal regulations that meet or exceed those proposed by this rule. While I’m still reviewing the full rule, it appears BLM has addressed some of the concerns, but we still must guard against duplicative and potentially contradictory regulations.”

Murkowski is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.