Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) There could be a fight over fracking in the Maryland state legislature during the upcoming legislative session.
Maryland’s Environmental Secretary Ben Grumbles presented proposed regulations for fracking at a general assembly hearing Tuesday.
He said these regulations will protect the environment and public health, but others in the state said the only way to do that is to ban fracking.
“These regulations are beyond the gold standard. They’re the platinum package,” said Grumbles.
He said the proposed regulations are extensive and build on the ones released by former Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration. The new regulations emphasize proper disposal of wastewater and other measures to prevent pollution like strengthening casings and cementing around the wells used in this natural gas extraction process.
“After spending so much time looking at this, it became abundantly clear to me that this whole notion of managed risk that we could put regulations in place to make sure that we could keep the worst stuff from happening, it’s all an illusion, said former state delegate and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Heather Mizeur.
Mizeur and others would like to see a state-wide ban on fracking. Prince George’s County became the first in the state to ban fracking after a unanimous vote earlier this year. Baltimore County follow suit Monday.
One of the big concerns among opponents is that the chemicals injected into the rock during fracking to release the natural gas will get into the drinking water supply. An EPA report on fracking found the process can put drinking water supplies at risk.
“We’re listening. We understand that while there may be some risks, some risks are greater than others, and protecting our drinking water supplies is one of the most important things that we can do as a regulatory agency,” said Grumbles.
Del. Ben Morhaim (D-Baltimore County) said he was concerned about the economic consequences of fracking. He said Grumbles spoke only talked about the positive impact of fracking on tourism but not about the negative effect if there is a gas spill.
Sen. Roger Manno (D-Montgomery County) said the general assembly will probably not consider the proposed rules until February. The Baltimore Sun reports they will likely wait to see if a bill to ban fracking is put forward.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (photo: Maryland Department of the Environment)
