RELEASE
January 31, 2012
CONTACT:
Tom Cheney
(802) 828-2245
House Approves Fracking Moratorium
Montpelier, VT —This morning, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to H.464, a bill which places a 3-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in Vermont .
The process of fracking entails the injection of large volumes of pressurized water and chemicals into the ground to extract oil and natural gas. Concerns have been raised about its possible contamination of groundwater. The moratorium will allow time for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report due in 2014 on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water. Following the completion of the report, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will be charged with revising its rules relating to this practice.
“This was a prudent action on the part of the House to ensure that we are deliberate in weighing the impacts of fracking,” said Speaker Shap Smith. “Other states have allowed this practice before its health and environmental impacts were fully understood. We would like to be sure that Vermont drinking water will not be compromised.”
Over the past decade, fracking has become an increasingly common means of oil and natural gas extraction around the country. Although there is currently no such development in Vermont , shale deposits in Franklin and Grand Isle are believed to be similar to shale in Quebec where natural gas is currently produced.
The House will vote on final passage of the bill tomorrow before it is sent to the Senate for its consideration.
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Haven’t you seen what happens when fracking happens? Ground water get polluted, soil is unusable and people die! What has happen to this great state. The only people that fracking benefits are the money hungry cooperation that pushes the issue. So are we to say that the government in this state is being bought? Take a vote throughout the state and see just how many people are in favor of this. People, you will loose the rights to your land and these companies will do whatever, where ever and when ever they want. This is the most disgusting piece of news that I have ever heard come from this state, which I am a native. If this is allowed to happen then it will no longer be known as “The Green Mountain” state, but a brown place where the soil and water are toxic. I guess it’s time to move.