O’Malley says he is ready to allow ‘fracking’ in Western Maryland, with strict safeguards

[OKNancy]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/omalley-says-he-is-ready-to-allow-fracking-in-western-maryland-with-strict-safeguards/2014/11/25/36234f34-74b9-11e4-9d9b-86d397daad27_story.html

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I've heard his name tossed around by some as a potential 2016 candidate. Does this change minds?

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Outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley says he is ready to allow drilling for natural gas in Western Maryland, but only if energy companies adhere to some of the most restrictive public health and environmental safeguards in the country.

O’Malley (D) will propose regulations next month that start with the “best practices” of other states and nations where hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is permitted, administration officials said. The regulations will include additional restrictions on drilling locations and efforts to limit the risks of drinking-water contamination and air pollution.

The rules would not take effect until after O’Malley is succeeded by Gov.-elect Larry Hogan (R), who on Tuesday criticized the governor for taking action on a number of controversial issues “on the way out the door.”

“We’re going to review every single one of them, I can assure you,” said Hogan, who has called drilling opportunities in Western Maryland “an economic gold mine” and faulted the state for taking too long to decide whether to allow fracking — which is already permitted in neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

[djean111]

1. It does for me.

Especially since only smirking lip service is given to "strict safeguards".
Oh, my - "efforts" to limit the risks of drinking-water contamination and air pollution.

Oh, and limiting (wanting to eliminate, actually) risks to drinking-water contamination and air pollution is not a fucking pony. Or a purity test. The risks are KNOWN, the corruption is KNOWN.

[LWolf]

2. It might.

Depending on the alternatives.

[avebury]

3. He has lost my vote. nt

[Autumn]

4. Doesn't change my mind. Bernie was

and still is my choice.

[RiverLover]

5. There is no safe fracking.

But the reality is the energy companies own our government, so we might as well just insist they try to have enough people in place for effective oversight.

Does any state have that though? Will Maryland?

What will they do with the resulting radioactive, benzene-soaked fracking waste?