'Fracking' is a drilling technique for natural gas in which water, mixed with chemicals and sand, is injected underground to fracture shale
Erika Staaf, Clean Water Advocate for PennEnvironment, and other representatives of environmental groups speak before delivering boxes of comments on proposed "fracking" rules to the Delaware River Basin Commission offices in Ewing in this April file photo. TRENTON — An Assembly panel has approved a bill to ban the treatment, disposal or storage of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” in the Garden State.
Fracking is a drilling technique for natural gas in which water, mixed with chemicals and sand, is injected underground to fracture shale. No fracking is done in New Jersey and there are few locations where it would be viable, but it’s widespread in parts of Pennsylvania.
“By passing this bill out of committee today, you can send a strong message that the health and well being of New Jersey residents is more important than the interests of the petroleum industry,” said Jim Walsh, eastern regional director of Food and Water Watch.
The measure passed the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 4-1, with one abstention.
Opponents of the measure said the mixture used in hydraulic fracturing mixture is more than 99 percent water and sand, and that the “vast majority” of the chemicals are harmless. New Jersey Chemistry Council Executive Director Hal Bozarth said the point of the bill is to give environmentalists ammunition to ban fracking in other states.
“It’s my opinion that those who are proponents of this bill are the same ones who oppose fracking in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) said she was not convinced.
“When you say the vast majorities of materials are safe, that doesn’t instill a lot of confidence,” she said.
Although the bill has now advanced through committee in the Assembly, it is unlikely to wind up on the governor’s desk before the Legislature’s session ends in January. The Senate Environment and Energy Committee is scheduled to have a conversation about the bill Thursday but does not plan a vote on it. If it does not get through the full Legislature by the end of the session, proponents will have to reintroduce it and restart the process.
Related coverage:
• 'Fracking' opponents pack Trenton to oppose natural gas extraction in Delaware River basin
• Ahead of vote in Trenton, activists weigh in against fracking
• Editorial: Gov. Chris Christie's one-year fracking ban is reasonable
• Gov. Christie to decide on whether N.J. will become first state with 'fracking' ban