No Fracking Way In Massachusetts

Ken O’Brien

Massachusetts isn't rich in fossil fuels, but we’re going to great lengths to keep the fracking industry out of the state. Last week, the Massachusetts State Legislature's Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources approved a 10-year ban on fracking.

The measure would also prevent fracking waste-water from being treated, stored, or disposed of in Massachusetts. The legislation is moving on to the Massachusetts' House Ways and Means Committee, and hopefully, it will then be approved by that state's House and Senate.

Massachusetts isn't known for natural gas production, but supporters of the legislation say that it has a broader purpose. One of the bill's cosponsors said it would "ensure that the health and prosperity of our communities is maintained," and other supporters say it would protect Massachusetts' drinking water, climate, and tectonic stability. Even though the state isn't littered with natural gas wells, Massachusetts is fighting to do what's right for their residents.

“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.”

A MoveOn.org petition urges residents to ask state lawmakers to ban fracking, and “bar toxic fracking wastewater from being deposited near or in any waterways that run through” their state. Of special concern is the fact that many (largely rural) communities in Western Massachusetts depend on groundwater supplies for their only source of drinking water.

Meanwhile, in states that actually have sizable shale deposits and active hydraulic fracturing operations, fracking bans are not faring well. Five Colorado cities have prohibited fracking, but all face legal challenges not just from industry but from the administration of Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). And in California, where scientists, celebs,activists, and policy wonks are all calling for a moratorium, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) still backs the growing fracking industry, despite his long legacy as a climate hawk and environmental champion.

Notice those D’s in the preceding paragraph? This isn’t a Democrat-vs.-Republican issue. In much of the country, it’s a Democrat-vs.-Democrat issue — or more specifically, Democratic-establishment-vs.-Democratic-base. As fractivism spreads, more Democratic politicians might decide they don’t want to piss off the green vote, particularly in states like Massachusetts where the industry isn’t knocking down the door anyway.

If the full state legislature passes the bill and Gov. Deval Patrick signs it, Massachusetts would become the second state in the nation to ban fracking. Vermont banned it last year, despite having negligible fracking potential. Now, we just need more states to follow the lead.

(See The O’Zone’s earlier article on this subject FRAK ME!!!)