The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently released a report entitled, Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Key Environmental and Public Health Requirements.  The report reviewed the environmental and public health laws that apply to unconventional oil and gas development noting key exemptions or limitations within this regulatory coverage.  It then reviewed laws and requirements in six different states and on federal land. 

The study discovered several common challenges among federal and state agencies including inspection and enforcement challenges due to limited information as well as the limited legal authority of regulatory agencies under existing laws.

To view the report in its entirety, visit http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-874.