ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Health officials and environmental advocates in Maryland are asking for a temporary stop to plans for fracking in the western part of the state.
Montgomery County Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo announced the proposed moratorium bill on Thursday during a news conference in Annapolis. He was joined by members of the Concerned Health Professionals of Maryland and opponents of the natural gas drilling method.
The Maryland lawmaker said there was not enough research to ensure residents would not suffer from the effects of fracking, which is a system that blasts highly pressurized water and chemicals into the earth to release underground gas.
Advocates for the drilling say critics are being too hard on the system, and a moratorium would also put a clamp on economic development in western Maryland.