Yesterday March 4, 2019, in the Florida Senate, the Agriculture Committee temporarily postponed SPB 7064, a bill purporting to ban fracking but which left 0ut language describing matrix acidizing, which effectively ruined the purported purpose of the bill. It was postponed because there was not time for everyone to speak to the committee, and the session will be continued next Monday, March 11.
Dr. Marc Freeman Michelle Allen Brian Lee
This is the second time this has happened, as Rep. Holly Raschein sponsored a similar flawed bill in the House (see our post”Fracking is the topic in Tallahassee,“) PBC ANRS 19-01 needed an amendment to prohibit matrix acidizing, and Rep. Edward Jenne wrote the amendment to do so, but the committee rejected the necessary language to ban fracking.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson Dr. Howard Kessler David Cullen
At yesterday’s meeting expert witness Dr. Thomas A. Herbert appeared, perhaps by invitation, to answer questions and allay legislators’ fears regarding fracking, acid, and toxic contaminants, including fluid migration. He spoke at length and gave testimony supporting the safety and benefits of fracking.
His statements regarding safety were challenged by medical doctors Howard Kessler and Marc Freeman who gave evidence to the many health risks.
OSFR board member Kristin Rubin also attended the meeting as did your historian.
Kim Ross Craig Stevens
At this point it seems there may something in the works which is preventing Gov. DeSantis’ campaign promise to ban fracking from becoming reality. It seems a bit strange that those writing ban fracking bills are so naive they cannot get the language right. Perhaps their aides and researchers need to contact some environmental groups for help.
At any rate, we applaud the lip service given the fracking issue but if Tallahassee is sincere in wanting to protect our state from the unnecessary dangers and risks of fracking, it is time for action and not game-playing.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
This doesn’t appear to be a case of naivete on the part of legislators, but a deliberate attempt not to “”get the language right” by way of of willful ignorance. They seem unwilling to ban matrix acidizing, the form of “fracking” that is most likely to be effective in Florida. Hopefully, the logic of informed voices, like those of our OSFR reps, will prevail. Thanks!