Freedom to Frack Act

The Freedom to Frack Act would add a new eligibility requirement to the federal State Energy Program grants that are administered under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Specifically, it would prohibit a state from receiving SEP grants if the state has enacted or enforces a law prohibiting hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within its borders. The bill ties federal energy funding to allowing fracking, by referencing the existing regulatory definition of hydraulic fracturing from the CFR. In effect, states that ban fracking could lose access to certain federal energy grants, while states that permit fracking would remain eligible for those funds. The measure was introduced in the House by Representative Tenney and referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. It does not specify funding amounts or a phase-in schedule, and it relies on the existing SEP grant framework (as codified in 42 U.S.C. 17155, Section 545(c)) for determining eligibility.