Current:Home > FinanceFlorida Fracking Ban Bill Draws Bipartisan Support-LoTradeCoin
Florida Fracking Ban Bill Draws Bipartisan Support
View Date:2024-12-23 23:41:45
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Florida have proposed legislation to ban fracking in the state.
Republicans across the United States have largely embraced fracking, a popular method for stimulating a well to extract hard-to-access oil and gas reserves. With this new bill, filed to the Senate last week by Republican Sen. Dana Young, Florida is bucking the trend. Another Republican legislator has filed a companion bill in the state House of Representatives.
Fracking is technically legal under current laws in Florida, but isn’t yet happening. This is largely because there are no specific rules for how it should be done. Officials in recent years have repeatedly attempted to establish such regulations.
At the same time, public opposition to fracking has grown. More than 70 counties and cities across the state have passed local ordinances prohibiting the process or supporting a state ban. Environmentalists, communities and local officials are primarily concerned that future fracking activities could threaten the state’s precious freshwater sources.
“Our aquifer, which is a main source of fresh water for us, runs across the state and knows no county line,” Young said in a statement. “I believe we must act quickly and decisively to protect our fragile environment from incompatible well stimulation practices in our state. The wellbeing of our environment is something that all Floridians care about which is why you’ll find my bill to ban fracking in Florida has bipartisan support in both chambers.” Young represents a west Florida district that includes the city of Tampa, one of the biggest cities in the state to endorse a statewide fracking ban.
The bill’s supporters include three more Republicans—Sen. Jack Latvala, Sen. Keith Perry and Rep. Mike Miller—along with Democrats Sen. Gary Farmer, Rep. Janet Cruz and Rep. Linda Stewart.
Environmental advocates have endorsed the bill. “We are hopeful” it will pass, Lynn Ringenberg, president of the advocacy group Physicians for Social Responsibility, wrote in an email to InsideClimate News. “I’ve met with Senator Young and she is determined to ban fracking. I think she understands the damage that could result to Florida’s fragile environment and public health.”
David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, has criticized the bill. He said in a recent statement: “The United States is the leading producer of oil, natural gas and refined product in the world, and the decades-old technique of hydraulic fracturing has led to lower energy costs for consumers and improvements in the environment. Senator Dana Young’s proposed ban could undermine the benefits that Florida families and consumers are seeing today.”
New York is the only state with potentially significant frackable resources to ban the practice. Maryland’s two-year moratorium ended in October, but some lawmakers there are mulling a permanent ban.
veryGood! (22)
Related
- NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
- Coal Lobbying Groups Losing Members as Industry Tumbles
- In Pennsylvania, One Senate Seat With Big Climate Implications
- Today’s Climate: September 22, 2010
- Crews battle 'rapid spread' conditions against Jennings Creek fire in Northeast
- Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kathy Hilton Shares Hunky Dory Mother’s Day Gifts Starting at $5
- Solar Energy Surging in Italy, Outpacing U.S.
- In Baidoa, Somalis live at the epicenter of drought, hunger and conflict
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- National Teachers Group Confronts Climate Denial: Keep the Politics Out of Science Class
Ranking
- Relive Pregnant Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's Achingly Beautiful Romance
- Rob Lowe Celebrates 33 Years of Sobriety With Message on His Recovery Journey
- For 'time cells' in the brain, what matters is what happens in the moment
- Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade Shares Details on Her and Fiancé Evan McClintock’s Engagement Party
- 'Wanted' posters plastered around University of Rochester target Jewish faculty members
- Thousands of Reddit forums are going dark this week. Here's why.
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $280 Crossbody Bag for Just $59
- Today’s Climate: September 14, 2010
Recommendation
-
Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Throws Shade At Her DWTS Partner Sasha Farber Amid Romance Rumors
-
Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny Were Twinning During Night Out at Lakers Game
-
Acid poured on slides at Massachusetts playground; children suffer burns
-
Supreme Court won't review North Carolina's decision to reject license plates with Confederate flag
-
Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
-
An Ambitious Global Effort to Cut Shipping Emissions Stalls
-
I usually wake up just ahead of my alarm. What's up with that?
-
This Top-Rated $9 Lipstick Looks Like a Lip Gloss and Lasts Through Eating, Drinking, and Kissing