Last evening the Maryland Senate passed HB 1325, a bill that would ban fracking statewide, by a vote of 35 to 10. Passage of this bill comes after an incredibly powerful grassroots movement which included organizing, marches, phone call drives, community meetings, and petition deliveries by thousands of people across Maryland. The bill will now go to Governor Hogan’s desk. He is expected to sign it after announcing his support for a ban on fracking earlier in March.
Governor Hogan’s signature will make Maryland the first gas-producing state to ban fracking. We know from our work in Pennsylvania that not even the strictest regulations can protect people and the environment from the harms of fracking, and we are thrilled that this dangerous and polluting practice will be banned in a significant portion of the Youghiogheny River watershed! Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in this effort over the past several years… this wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated efforts of Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Citizen Shale, and so many others.