One Florida state representative introduced a bill this week that
would ban fracking in his state, an act that comes on the heels of
similar legislation introduced by two of his colleagues in the state
Senate.
Florida Rep. Evan Jenne (D) filed a bill
Monday that outlines the potential problems associated with fracking in
Florida, including use of chemicals which, according to the bill, “may
pose a widespread and significant risk to public health and safety and
the environment.” The bill also cites fracking’s contribution to climate
change as a reason to prohibit the practice in Florida: wells have been
found to leak methane at such rates that some scientists say
any climate benefit from burning low-carbon natural gas is nearly
eliminated by the methane that escapes into the air during the fracking
process.
The bill also noted fracking’s need for large amounts of water,
saying that it made the practice irresponsible “at a time when many
Florida municipalities are struggling with the impacts that water
scarcity may have in the state in the near future.” Banning fracking,
the bill states, will “protect the public health and welfare” of
Florida. Read more
