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Vermont Fracking Ban Poised To Become Law

AP  |  Posted: 05/04/2012 1:05 pm Updated: 05/04/2012 3:05 pm

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont appears on the verge of enacting the nation's first statewide ban of a hotly debated natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing.

The House on Friday overwhelmingly approved a conference committee report calling for the ban. It now goes to the desk of Gov. Peter Shumlin, who has said he takes a dim view of hydraulic fracturing and is expected to sign the measure.

The technique involves injecting water and chemicals into the ground to split rock and release gas.

Critics of the ban say it could hurt economic development in the state, or could prompt a lawsuit from the natural gas industry.

Geologists say Vermont doesn't appear likely to have much natural gas, but there may be some under northwestern Vermont.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont appears on the verge of enacting the nation's first statewide ban of a hotly debated natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing. The Hou...
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont appears on the verge of enacting the nation's first statewide ban of a hotly debated natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing. The Hou...
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What originated as an industry term (fraccing or fracking) has been co-opted by opponents to hydraulic fracturing much to the industry's chagrin. Industry would love to turn back time and bury that word in a place no one will find it. But the genie is out of the bottle.

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Sammy Farnham
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11:51 PM on 05/09/2012
Wow newamerica! How does frac pollute the air? Nothing like ignorant people with an opinion.
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NewAmericanow
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03:49 PM on 05/09/2012
Regardless of political affiliation. The people in a community should always have the right to choose whether they want something or not. Current fracking technology does not protect water and air properly. I wouldn't want it near me either. Good for Vermont. Now if they can only get the federal government out of their business on nuclear plant closings too.
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Dan Crabtree
759 Fans
03:55 PM on 05/04/2012
Activist liberal socialist communist at there finest.here...get ready comrades for your trip into lenin land is coming to your state next..WATCH "IF I WANTED AMERICA TO FAIl" WHAT WOULD I DO..
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Lyle Edwards
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05:36 AM on 05/05/2012
I see. You're one of those people one can have an honest discussion with. You have such a unbiased gentle nature about you..
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