March, 07 2014, 12:57pm EDT
Del. McIntosh Kills Fracking Wastewater Bill, Leaves Citizens Vulnerable to Contaminants From Out-of-State Fracking Waste
Statement by Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter
Annapolis, MD
"Today, the Maryland House of Delegates Environmental Matters Committee lost a valuable opportunity to provide protection for Marylanders against the dangers of fracking when it blocked legislation to ban the treatment, storage, disposal, and discharge of fracking wastewater in Maryland. It's regrettable that the committee wasn't allowed to pass the legislation.
"It's outrageous that instead of asking for a simple yes or no vote, Chairwoman Maggie McIntosh asked 'Who needs to vote for this to get re-elected?' The fact that she then told a legislator that he didn't need the vote 'down there' in his district shows her intent to not let the legislation through no matter how much support it had in committee.
"Since fracking wastewater is exempted from federal-and state-level regulations pertaining to hazardous waste, thanks to the oil and gas industry, there is no reason why Maryland legislators shouldn't at least provide protections for water and public health, as the state continues to debate on fracking.
"Currently, Maryland is not equipped to safely manage the hazardous waste produced by fracking and drilling, and the state's wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to handle the contaminants typically contained in fracking wastewater."
Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.
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