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Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed

banfrkafter In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River

banfrkafter In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
After the meeting was adjourned, OSFR board member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson speaks with Sen. Albritton (seated, center) while Amy Datz waits her turn.

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.

banfrkfreeman In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River banfrkmichelle In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River banfrkbrian In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
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.

banfrkmmj In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River     banfrkhoward In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River   banfrkcullen In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
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.

banfrkrim In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River banfrkstevens In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
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-


banfrkroom In: Ban Fracking Bill Temporally Postponed | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River

 

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1 Comment

  1. 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!

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