Fracking ban advances in Senate, stalls in House

get an independent analytalked of Florida’s unique sis and permit everyone to topography and expressed show if there is a legitimate concerns about potenTALLAHASSEE — A measure issue that exists.” tial impacts of chemicals that would ban the controBill sponsor Sen. Dana involved in fracking on the versial oil- and natural-gas Young, R-Tampa, said after below-ground aquifer that drilling known as “fracking” the meeting she didn’t see supplies drinking water. is again on the move in the a need to conduct another But the bill faces oppoFlorida Senate. study when “adv e rse” sition from the influential

But the proposal remains impacts have been reported business groups. sidelined in the House as the in other states, that include Eric Hamilton, associate 60-day legislative session “groundwater contamina- director of the Florida Petronears its midpoint. tion, surface-water contam- leum Council, expressed con

The Senate Environmental ination, low birth-weight cern that the proposal could Preservation and Conserva- babies, health impacts on prohibit future exploration tion Committee voted unanlungs and heart.” using a method that “can be imously Monday to approve “We have an absolute right done safely” and in recent the measure (SB 462). under our state police power years has helped increase

But in voting for the meato ban this practice before domestic energy producsure, Sen. David Simmons, it ever starts,” Young said. tion while lowering costs of R-Altamonte Springs, cau“The time is now to do this. auto and home fuel. tioned that some comproLet’s don’t wait until, as Sen. “By banning fracking, mise might be needed to get Simmons said, companies do you’re sending a message the House to act. Simmons start fracking and then you’ve to the rest of the country suggested a moratorium of got existing uses and you’ve that fracking is not good,” two to five years on the prac- got permits in place. We don’t Hamilton said. tice, which is allowed in Flor- want that. We want to stop An identical proposal in ida, to provide time to delve it now before it can start.” the House (HB 237), sponinto potential impacts. The bill has 12 co-spon- sored by Rep. athleen

“Never be afraid of the sors, with five Republicans Peters, R-Treasure Island, truth,” Simmons said after and seven Democrats. has not been heard in comthe meeting. “Make sure you Supporters of the ban mittees.

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