By Molly Moore
In February, Augusta County, Va., voted six to one to become the first county in the commonwealth to ban fracking.
Also known as hydraulic fracturing, this shale gas extraction process involves injecting a mixture of chemicals, sand and water into wells at high pressure to create fissures underground. Scientists have linked fracking to water contamination, air pollution and earthquakes.
Virginia code allows localities to prohibit or restrict fracking as part of their authority to determine land use. King George County approved restrictions on the practice in August 2016.
Further north, the Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a statewide fracking ban into law on April 4. A bill to prohibit fracking had passed the state House 97 to 40 with bipartisan support on March 10.
The following week, Gov. Hogan, a Republican, called for a ban. “The possible environmental risks of fracking simply outweigh any potential benefits,” he said during a news conference.
On March 27, the state Senate approved such a bill with a 35 to 10 vote. The ban replaces the state’s current moratorium on the practice and make Maryland the second state to institute a prohibition on hydraulic fracturing.
Editor’s note: At press time, Gov. Hogan had not yet signed Maryland’s fracking ban into law. This article has been updated to reflect that change.
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
English Language Learning in Appalachia
Learning English is always difficult. But current aggressive approaches to immigration policy are creating more barriers for learners and the programs that serve them than ever before in Appalachia and beyond.
Pike County Rejects Mega Landfill
Many residents of Pike County, Kentucky, are breathing a sigh of relief since county commissioners finalized their decision to rescind a contract with an out-of-state waste management company.
Overdrive: Fossil Fuels in Appalachia
Electricity demand is on the rise. Here, we share snapshots of energy trends in the region and how methane gas, coal and data centers are affecting our communities — and how people are pushing back.
Less Support for Communities with Mine Problems
The Trump administration issued a regulation to weaken the Ten Day Notice process that helps community members call in federal enforcement when state regulators don’t do a good job policing environmental problems at coal mines
Chaos at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Cuts to Public Input
The past year has brought turmoil and uncertainty to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public power provider, and its more than 10 million customers across the Tennessee Valley.
Landmark Coal Ash Protections Under Attack
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eviscerate important, hard-won regulations on coal ash, a toxic waste left after burning coal for energy.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment