March 23rd, 2015 by WCBC Radio

A bill to hold fracking companies more responsible for damages they cause remained intact after senators defeated an amendment Thursday that would have removed words describing the natural gas extraction process as “ultrahazardous and abnormally dangerous.” The vote pitted lawmakers who say hydraulic fracturing will create economic opportunities in the state against those who say not enough information is known about the drilling method, which pumps highly pressurized water, sand and chemicals into the ground. Maryland Senate President Mike Miller said that “It doesn’t ban fracking but it would make it very difficult for anyone to want to come in to Maryland, when they can go to Pennsylvania or West Virginia or some other state”.  Garrett County Delegate Wendell Beitzel echoed those sentiments…