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On Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture passed the bill, which would also prohibit the dumping of fracking wastewater in the state.
“Although the state isn’t seen as a rich source of shale gas, there could be limited deposits in western Massachusetts,” the Associated Press reports.
As EcoWatch explains, “Local concern about fracking has grown since the U.S. Geological Survey identified shale gas deposits in the Pioneer Valley last December. Moreover, as New York mulls large-scale fracking next door, drilling operators could soon view Western Massachusetts as a convenient dumping ground for toxic fracking wastewater.”
If the full state legislature passes the bill and Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signs it, Massachusetts would become the second state in the nation to ban fracking. Vermont banned it last year, despite having negligible fracking potential.
In New Jersey, the state legislature last year passed a bill banning the treatment
of fracking waste but Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the measure.
See the full story: Will Massachusetts become the second state to ban fracking?
Related environmental news stories:
Critics Blast Plan to Ship Fracking Wastewater on … – NJ Spotlight
New Jersey Residents Demand Fracking Waste Ban | EcoWatch
New York bans fracking, but environmental and economic benefits find their way
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