Vermont House approves fracking moratorium

This morning, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to H464, a bill which places a 3-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing inVermont.
The process of fracking entails the injection of large volumes of pressurized water and chemicals into the ground to extract oil and natural gas. Concerns have been raised about its possible contamination of groundwater. The moratorium will allow time for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report due in 2014 on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water.Following the completion of the report, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will be charged with revising its rules relating to this practice.
‘This was a prudent action on the part of the House to ensure that we are deliberate in weighing the impacts of fracking,’ said Speaker Shap Smith. ‘Other states have allowed this practice before its health and environmental impacts were fully understood. We would like to be sure thatVermontdrinking water will not be compromised.’
Over the past decade, fracking has become an increasingly common means of oil and natural gas extraction around the country.Although there is currently no such development inVermont, shale deposits in Franklin and Grand Isle are believed to be similar to shale inQuebecwhere natural gas is currently produced.
The House will vote on final passage of the bill tomorrow before it is sent to the Senate for its consideration.
Speaker of the House. 1.31.2012