Climate change protesters disrupt Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign event on October 9, 2019 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Aug 31, 2020
In response to claims from President Donald Trump that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would ban fracking, the former vice president told voters in the swing state of Pennsylvania on Monday that he would not outlaw the practice--despite polling that shows the American public increasingly favors aggressive actions left out of Biden's campaign proposals and the official party platform.
"I am not banning fracking."
--Joe Biden, Democratic presidential nominee
"I am not banning fracking," Biden told a crowd. "Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me."
During a Democratic primary debate in March with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)--who vocally supports a nationwide fracking ban and has introduced legislation in the Senate that would halt the practice--Biden said there would be "no new fracking" if he was elected, but his campaign later clarified that this would not constitute a full-fledged ban.
Polling continues to show American voters are in fact in favor of more ambitious climate proposals including the Green New Deal.
\u201cThis whole "fracking will sink Dems" narrative has been around a while, but it was crystalized this January with this piece in the NYT and a painful Daily episode that made out fracking opponents as pot-smoking hippies (kid you not, just listen) https://t.co/46pHl0L5SM\u201d— Jamie Henn (@Jamie Henn) 1598894948
A new survey from Climate Power 2020, the League of Conservation Voters, and Global Strategy Group last week suggested voter opinion in Pennsylvania--a state with large-scale fracking operations--regarding climate policy "boosts Joe Biden."
"The research shows that not only are Pennsylvania voters supportive of climate action and additional regulations on hydraulic fracturing ('fracking'), engaging in a debate around fracking and climate clearly helps Joe Biden, strengthening his favorability rating and increasing his lead over President Donald Trump in the state," survey authors wrote, in a memo released August 27.
Survey results indicated 83% of respondents believe climate change is a serious problem, and 73% said they support the government "taking bold action to combat climate change." But with Biden's noncommittal attitude toward fracking in particular, and with the Democratic Party's refusal to commit to end fossil fuel subsidies, progressives and activists remain unconvinced.
\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s continued public opposition to a fracking ban is basically an assurance to industry that he\u2019ll continue the Obama-era transition to a natural gas energy economy in the immediate while pledging a greener future.\n\nSeems certain we\u2019re going to miss our climate deadline..\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1598902747
\u201cBiden's speech today was yet again trying to out-Trump Trump.\n\nBiden said repeatedly he's not against fracking, he supports the police, he won't be pressured by socialists. If Biden loses, just remember it was because he tried to be Donald Trump rather than being progressive.\u201d— Lee Camp [Redacted] (@Lee Camp [Redacted]) 1598903884
Journalist Dave Levitan suggested an alternative to Biden's Pennsylvania promise: "Another idea would be to ban fracking," he tweeted.
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
In response to claims from President Donald Trump that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would ban fracking, the former vice president told voters in the swing state of Pennsylvania on Monday that he would not outlaw the practice--despite polling that shows the American public increasingly favors aggressive actions left out of Biden's campaign proposals and the official party platform.
"I am not banning fracking."
--Joe Biden, Democratic presidential nominee
"I am not banning fracking," Biden told a crowd. "Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me."
During a Democratic primary debate in March with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)--who vocally supports a nationwide fracking ban and has introduced legislation in the Senate that would halt the practice--Biden said there would be "no new fracking" if he was elected, but his campaign later clarified that this would not constitute a full-fledged ban.
Polling continues to show American voters are in fact in favor of more ambitious climate proposals including the Green New Deal.
\u201cThis whole "fracking will sink Dems" narrative has been around a while, but it was crystalized this January with this piece in the NYT and a painful Daily episode that made out fracking opponents as pot-smoking hippies (kid you not, just listen) https://t.co/46pHl0L5SM\u201d— Jamie Henn (@Jamie Henn) 1598894948
A new survey from Climate Power 2020, the League of Conservation Voters, and Global Strategy Group last week suggested voter opinion in Pennsylvania--a state with large-scale fracking operations--regarding climate policy "boosts Joe Biden."
"The research shows that not only are Pennsylvania voters supportive of climate action and additional regulations on hydraulic fracturing ('fracking'), engaging in a debate around fracking and climate clearly helps Joe Biden, strengthening his favorability rating and increasing his lead over President Donald Trump in the state," survey authors wrote, in a memo released August 27.
Survey results indicated 83% of respondents believe climate change is a serious problem, and 73% said they support the government "taking bold action to combat climate change." But with Biden's noncommittal attitude toward fracking in particular, and with the Democratic Party's refusal to commit to end fossil fuel subsidies, progressives and activists remain unconvinced.
\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s continued public opposition to a fracking ban is basically an assurance to industry that he\u2019ll continue the Obama-era transition to a natural gas energy economy in the immediate while pledging a greener future.\n\nSeems certain we\u2019re going to miss our climate deadline..\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1598902747
\u201cBiden's speech today was yet again trying to out-Trump Trump.\n\nBiden said repeatedly he's not against fracking, he supports the police, he won't be pressured by socialists. If Biden loses, just remember it was because he tried to be Donald Trump rather than being progressive.\u201d— Lee Camp [Redacted] (@Lee Camp [Redacted]) 1598903884
Journalist Dave Levitan suggested an alternative to Biden's Pennsylvania promise: "Another idea would be to ban fracking," he tweeted.
In response to claims from President Donald Trump that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would ban fracking, the former vice president told voters in the swing state of Pennsylvania on Monday that he would not outlaw the practice--despite polling that shows the American public increasingly favors aggressive actions left out of Biden's campaign proposals and the official party platform.
"I am not banning fracking."
--Joe Biden, Democratic presidential nominee
"I am not banning fracking," Biden told a crowd. "Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me."
During a Democratic primary debate in March with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)--who vocally supports a nationwide fracking ban and has introduced legislation in the Senate that would halt the practice--Biden said there would be "no new fracking" if he was elected, but his campaign later clarified that this would not constitute a full-fledged ban.
Polling continues to show American voters are in fact in favor of more ambitious climate proposals including the Green New Deal.
\u201cThis whole "fracking will sink Dems" narrative has been around a while, but it was crystalized this January with this piece in the NYT and a painful Daily episode that made out fracking opponents as pot-smoking hippies (kid you not, just listen) https://t.co/46pHl0L5SM\u201d— Jamie Henn (@Jamie Henn) 1598894948
A new survey from Climate Power 2020, the League of Conservation Voters, and Global Strategy Group last week suggested voter opinion in Pennsylvania--a state with large-scale fracking operations--regarding climate policy "boosts Joe Biden."
"The research shows that not only are Pennsylvania voters supportive of climate action and additional regulations on hydraulic fracturing ('fracking'), engaging in a debate around fracking and climate clearly helps Joe Biden, strengthening his favorability rating and increasing his lead over President Donald Trump in the state," survey authors wrote, in a memo released August 27.
Survey results indicated 83% of respondents believe climate change is a serious problem, and 73% said they support the government "taking bold action to combat climate change." But with Biden's noncommittal attitude toward fracking in particular, and with the Democratic Party's refusal to commit to end fossil fuel subsidies, progressives and activists remain unconvinced.
\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s continued public opposition to a fracking ban is basically an assurance to industry that he\u2019ll continue the Obama-era transition to a natural gas energy economy in the immediate while pledging a greener future.\n\nSeems certain we\u2019re going to miss our climate deadline..\u201d— Walker Bragman (@Walker Bragman) 1598902747
\u201cBiden's speech today was yet again trying to out-Trump Trump.\n\nBiden said repeatedly he's not against fracking, he supports the police, he won't be pressured by socialists. If Biden loses, just remember it was because he tried to be Donald Trump rather than being progressive.\u201d— Lee Camp [Redacted] (@Lee Camp [Redacted]) 1598903884
Journalist Dave Levitan suggested an alternative to Biden's Pennsylvania promise: "Another idea would be to ban fracking," he tweeted.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.