May 30th, 2014 by WCBC Radio
The 2014 Maryland legislative session ended last month without progress on any hydraulic fracturing bills. The debate over fracking in Maryland follows two parallel tracks. One track is the Governor-appointed Commission studying drilling in the state. Their report and recommendations come due this August. The second track is the Maryland General Assembly: a body of 188 part-time lawmakers who spend ninety days each winter debating nearly 2200 bills. Marylanders will elect a new Governor and legislature this fall. And while it’s possible that drilling could begin before they are sworn in, without a doubt, the debate will continue. The region with the most to gain and/or lose with fracking, pending on which side you listen too is western Maryland. During this week’s democratic gubanatorial debate, Montgomery County Delegate Heather Mizeur said that its imperative to take no action until the potential environmental impacts are known.
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