Will Massachusetts Become the Second State to Ban Fracking?

Legislation that would impose a 10-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing is making its way through the Massachusetts state legislature.  On Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture passed the bill, which would also prohibit the dumping of fracking wastewater in the state.

“Although the state isn’t seen as a rich source of shale gas, there could be limited deposits in western Massachusetts,” the Associated Press reports.  As EcoWatch explains, “Local concern about fracking has grown since the U.S. Geological Survey identified shale gas deposits in the Pioneer Valley last December.  Moreover, as New York mulls large-scale fracking next door, drilling operators could soon view Western Massachusetts as a convenient dumping ground for toxic fracking wastewater.”

If the full state legislature passes the bill and Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signs it, Massachusetts would become the second state in the nation to ban fracking.  Vermont banned it last year, despite having negligible fracking potential.

Will Massachusetts Become the Second State to Ban Fracking?