Baltimore City Council
File #: 15-0241R    Version: 0 Name: Request for State Action - Ban Hydraulic Fracturing in Maryland
Type: City Council Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 7/20/2015 In control: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations
On agenda: Final action: 11/14/2016
Enactment #:
Title: Request for State Action - Ban Hydraulic Fracturing in Maryland FOR the purpose of supporting the passage of a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.
Sponsors: James B. Kraft, Bill Henry, Helen L. Holton, Carl Stokes, Warren Branch, Brandon M. Scott, Sharon Green Middleton, William "Pete" Welch, Mary Pat Clarke, President Young, Robert Curran, Rochelle Spector, Edward Reisinger
Indexes: Fracturing, Maryland, Request for State Action
Attachments: 1. cb15-0241R~1st Reader, 2. DPW 15-0241R, 3. 15-0241R~2nd Reader

* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.

THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.

                     INTRODUCTORY*

 

                     CITY OF BALTIMORE

                     COUNCIL BILL           R

                     (Resolution)

                                                                                                                                                           

Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft

                                                                                                                                                           

 

                     A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

 

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning

title

Request for State Action - Ban Hydraulic Fracturing in Maryland

FOR the purpose of supporting the passage of a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.

body

 

Recitals

  

   Exposure to the chemicals used or released in hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturingrelated activities may pose a widespread and significant risk to public health, safety, and the environment.

 

    Hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturingrelated activities can involve the use of high volumes of chemicals, some of which are known to be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, endocrine disruptors, or could otherwise be harmful to human health.

 

   Hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturingrelated activities use millions of gallons of freshwater per well, which are then contaminated by chemicals, salts, and potentially radioactive materials.

 

   Pollution caused by hydraulic fracturing and frackingrelated activities threatens the longterm well-being of communities.  Clear evidence exists that fracking diminishes property values, harms existing tourismrelated businesses, and disrupts economic sustainability by forcing reliance on a �boom/bust� economic order.  Fracking is also known to jeopardize air and water quality on which all communities depend.

 

   Hydraulic fracturing irreversibly industrializes pristine rural communities, prohibiting their ability to rely on farming or ecotourism after the process of extracting gas has finished.

 

    Hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturingrelated activities result in the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which drives climate change.  It is irresponsible for a state to further invest in an industry that will exacerbate the impacts of climate change.

  

   As an urban center, and a port city, Baltimore has high potential for being heavily impacted by climate change.

 

 

 

                       Emerging scientific research confirms that hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing related activities are inherently risky.  There is no scientific research supporting claims that it can be carried out in a way that reduces health and environmental risks to an acceptable level.

 

   The final report of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative concedes that implementing �best management practices� cannot eliminate the risks involved in hydraulic fracturing and that many gaps remain in the information with which it was working.

 

   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That Council supports the passage of a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.

 

   AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Mayor, and the Mayor�s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.

 

 

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