Annapolis, MD – St. Patrick’s Day 2017 got a little greener for Maryland’s environmentalists. During a mid-afternoon press conference Governor Larry Hogan announced his “full support” for a permanent ban on the procedure of hydraulic fracturing—better known as fracking. Hogan’s announcement comes one week to the day after the Maryland House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly on a measure to impose a permanent ban on the procedure that some see as a future necessity to the natural gas industry in the state.
The governor noted in his remarks that there has never been fracking in Maryland. The state’s westernmost portion is located in the area known as the Marcellus shale, targeted as a prime area for natural gas drilling. Noting the state has had a moratorium in place since 2015, Hogan declared it was time for Maryland to transition from “virtually banning” to “actually banning” the controversial drilling procedure.
Fracking has frequently been blame for environmental damage—contamination of well water and earthquakes. “The possible environmental risks outweigh any potential benefits,” said Hogan. “Let’s finally put this issue to rest once and for all.”
Hogan indicated he decided to step up and support a fracking ban because he was aware that legislative leaders were leaning toward legislation that would mandate a referendum “to allow for fracking.”
State Senator Robert A. “Bobby” Zirkin [D – District 11], who appeared with Hogan at the press conference, thanked the governor “for this important step. There’s no safe way to do fracking. This is not about natural gas.”
In Southern Maryland, members of We Are Cove Point, a group that opposes Dominion’s multi-billion dollar liquefaction project, hailed Hogan’s declaration. Group leaders urged members to contact the governor. “Thank him and ask him to go one step further and order a safety study for Dominion’s gas refinery and export terminal [at] Cove Point.”
Chesapeake Climate Action Network Executive Director Mike Tidwell stated Hogan’s announcement “has created a day of historic importance for the entire nation. Hogan has joined a statewide bipartisan effort to prevent this dangerous drilling technology from ever polluting Maryland’s water, air, climate and childhood health. In short, he has done the right thing.”
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com