Maryland Fracking Ban Makes History

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A law signed by Maryland's governor makes the state the third in the nation to ban fracking of natural gas but the first state with proven gas reserves to take that action. Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday signed HB 1325, which bans hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” in Maryland.

The State Senate and House of Delegates overwhelmingly supported the ban before the bill hit the governor's desk. The law will go into effect on Oct. 1, when a temporary ban on fracking expires. New York established a similar ban in 2015, and Vermont prohibited the practice in 2012, but neither of those states has known natural gas reserves.

Hogan surprised some in March when he announced he would support a fracking ban. The Republican governor had previously called the possibility of fracking in two western counties, Garret and Allegany, an economic gold mine.

"We must take the next step to move from virtually banning fracking to actually banning fracking," Hogan said at a March 24 press conference. "The possible environmental risks of fracking simply outweigh any potential benefits."

A Goucher Poll released Feb. 27 showed that Marylanders were divided on the ban and unsure over whether the state should ban the practice. The poll showed 40 percent oppose a ban on fracking, 36 percent support a ban on fracking and 24 percent don’t know.

The Maryland Petroleum Council, a division of the American Petroleum Institute, last week denounced the bill banning fracking.

“Denying Maryland consumers, businesses and job-seekers the benefits that come with in-state energy production through hydraulic fracturing shuts the door on an important share in the American energy renaissance and Western Maryland’s future economic growth,” said Drew Cobbs, the council’s executive director, in a statement.

Environmental advocates in the state applauded Hogan's signature on the bill but say he has a mixed record on other issues, such as making it easier for Maryland farmers to spread manure on frozen ground. And while Hogan has funded Chesapeake Bay recovery programs, he hasn't publicly spoken out against President Donald Trump's plan to eliminate $73 million in federal Chesapeake Bay Program money from the budget.

"What we look for in the governor is environmental leadership. It's been challenging, because sometimes, his actions aren't consistent," Josh Tulkin, executive director of the Sierra Club's Maryland chapter, told The Baltimore Sun.

»Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan photo courtesy of governor's office, video from Capital News Service