Oregon Senate approves 5-year ban on fracking

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The controversial oil exploration tactic known as fracking will be temporarily banned in Oregon until 2025 under a bill on its way to the governor.

The Senate voted 17-11 Wednesday to prohibit hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking,’ which injects high-pressure liquids into underground rock to extract oil and gas. Environmental advocates say that process can contaminate groundwater and pose other environmental risks.

The bill previously banned fracking for 10 years, but the Senate cut that time span roughly in half, something that must now be approved by the House before heading to the governor’s desk.

There are currently no fracking operations in Oregon and there are only a handful of ongoing exploration activities. The measure will still permit the more common methods of oil and gas exploration already used in the state.

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News release from Oregon Senate Democrats:

‘Fracking’ ban bill goes to Gov. Kate Brown for signature HB 2623: Imposes statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing in Oregon SALEM – The practice of fracking in the exploration and production of oil or gas will be banned until 2025, under a bill passed by the Oregon Senate.

House Bill 2623 – which passed the Senate on a 17-11 vote today – now goes to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. In addition to placing a moratorium on fracking for oil or gas production and exploration, the bill exempts natural gas storage wells, geothermal activities and existing coal bed methane extraction wells.

“This bill will put a stop to a dangerous and environmentally damaging practice in Oregon,” said Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene), a chief co-sponsor of the bill. “We don’t want oil and gas companies to come in and start wasting our water and damaging our environment to make a buck. It dirties our water and pollutes our planet.”

Hydraulic fracturing – also known as fracking – involves injecting water, sand and chemicals under high pressure into bedrock formations through wells. The process creates new fractures in the rock and increases the size and connectivity of existing fractures. The technique allows gas, oil or hot water inside the rock to flow more effectively into the well for extraction.

Though the technology has existed since the 1960s, its use – in combination with advances in horizontal drilling – has led to a major increase in United States oil and gas production in recent years. In Oregon, hydraulic fracturing requires permits and is regulated by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Department of Environmental Quality and the Water Resources Department.

“HB 2623 is a straight-forward bill that reflects Oregon’s priorities to combat climate change and wean our economy off fossil fuels,” Climate Solutions Oregon State Director Meredith Connolly said. “The devastating impacts of fracturing on numerous communities around the country further demonstrates the foolhardiness of expanding fractured gas exploration and production. Prohibiting fractured gas production also sends an important signal to Oregon’s natural gas utilities and distributors that Oregon is not interested in expanding its reliance on fossil fuel-based gas. Instead, we need to develop alternatives such as renewable natural gas and shift to clean sources of electricity.”

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News release from Oregon Food & Water Watch:

Oregon Senate Passes Five-Year Moratorium on Fracking

Statement of Thomas Meyer, Regional Organizing Manager, Food & Water Watch

Salem–Today, the Oregon Senate passed a five-year moratorium on fracking by a vote of 17-11. In March, the Oregon House passed a 10-year moratorium, that was amended by the Senate committee. The bill will now return to the House for final consideration.

The fracking process injects a high-pressure mix of toxic chemicals into underground shale rock to extract fossil fuels. It poses serious risks to public health and drinking water. While there are currently no fracking operations in Oregon, there is potential for the process to be used in across the state.

In response to the vote Food & Water Watch Regional Organizing Manager Thomas Meyer issued this statement:

“Moving this fracking moratorium forward is a huge accomplishment for Oregon communities in protecting our water, health and climate. The Oregon House should immediately pass this bill and send it to Governor Brown’s desk. Study after study shows that fracking poses severe threats to drinking water, air quality and public health, not to mention the global climate that we all depend on. This type of dangerous fossil fuel extraction could come to as many as 14 counties across the state.

“Unfortunately, the Senators kicked the can down the road by shortening the moratorium to five years. If policy-makers are serious about addressing the climate crisis, they should ban fracking once and for all, here in Oregon and across the country.”

If the bill goes into law, Oregon would join New York, Vermont, Maryland, and Washington which have all banned fracking. Food and Water Watch was the first organization to call for a national ban on fracking.