March 1st, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Bills that would permanently ban fracking in Maryland or put the issue to a referendum vote were held Tuesday in Annapolis- with a large contingent of western Marylanders who oppose fracking demonstrating outside the state house prior to the hearings.  A measure that would ban fracking was introduced by State Senator Bobby Zirkin and has 23 senate sponsors; while State Senator George Edwards was the primary sponsor of a bill that would extend the moratorium for two years and allow for a referendum vote on the controversial issue. After a citizen spoke In favor of a permanent ban at last week’s meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners, Commissioners President Jake Shade offered an endorsement of the Edwards legislation…