Maryland fracking ban bill introduced to House and Senate

In Maryland, a bill was introduced to the General Assembly to ban fracking in the state.

The bill received wide support in Maryland's House after it was introduced in the Senate last week.

The bill would place a permanent ban on fracking and replace a moratorium set to expire in October.

Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo introduced the measure with more than 60 co-sponsors.

Senator Robert Zirkin has also has introduced a measure to ban the drilling technique.

Supporters say fracking will create jobs, but opponents say the pollution risks are too great.

Thomas Meyer, senior organizer for Maryland's Food and Water Watch, told 47 ABC that if fracking were allowed, it would destroy tourism, recreation and agriculture.

“That's what we're seeing developing in western Maryland, an economy that's based on sustainable agriculture and tourism and outdoor recreation. And fracking would really destroy that,” Meyer said.

“So some folks in western Maryland are saying that to be ‘pro-fracking’ is to be ‘anti-business’ because there's already an existing economy out there that just could not, would not co-exist with fracking.”

The House and Senate will vote on the bill after hearings are held.