Cheney's Role in the Fracking Boom
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away Monday, played a significant part in shaping U.S. energy policy both in government and the private sector. He is most often associated with the so-called "Halliburton loophole," a provision in a 2005 energy bill that exempted hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from a major environmental regulation.
The Halliburton Loophole Explained
This exemption removed fracking from the regulatory oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a move welcomed by the oil industry. This part of the law is frequently cited as the driver behind the surge in American oil and gas production that propelled the U.S. to world-leading levels.
“From leading Halliburton to serving as vice president, he exemplified steady leadership and helped shape America’s energy and security,” said American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers in a social media statement.
Cheney's Ambiguous Involvement
Though the loophole is linked to Halliburton—where Cheney was CEO before becoming vice president—his exact role in embedding this exemption into law remains unclear even two decades later. Throughout his career, Cheney neither claimed credit nor denied involvement in the provision.
Impact on Current Energy Policy
The Bush administration, under Cheney's vice presidency, laid the foundation for energy policies involving oil, gas, and coal that are now being aggressively expanded under President Donald Trump.
The “Halliburton loophole” has been both praised for enabling energy independence and criticized for weakening environmental protections.
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