"Fracking Can Begin in Illinois"

"Haul out the oil rigs, fracking can begin in Illinois.

An obscure arm of state government cleared the way Thursday for oil and gas drillers to apply for permits to begin fracking in Illinois, which could find itself the center of an oil boom by next fall if the energy firms that have leased land here begin to drill.

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules moved forward regulations that govern hydraulic fracturing, a drilling process that injects water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into shale rock to unleash oil and gas.

The final rules remain secret. They aren't expected to be made public until they are published in the Illinois Register. That is expected to occur by Nov. 15."
 
Julie Wernau reports for the Chicago Tribune Nobember 6, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Illinois Just Approved Fracking, But Will Not Yet Disclose Regulations" (Climate Progress)

"Illinois Approves Secret Fracking Rules: State Enviro Council Thrown Under Bus, Grassroots Hold Line" (Common Dreams)