March 3rd, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Engage Mountain Maryland is encouraging support of Senate Bill 361, which would make holders of fracking permits responsible should injury, death or loss of property occur. 

The Cumberland Times News reports the bill is sponsored by Sens. Jamie Raskin and Bobby Zirkin. Engage Mountain Maryland partnered with the senators to collect signatures in support of the legislation. 

The bill provides that a permittee is strictly liable for loss to person or property caused by the hydraulic fracturing activities of the permittee. It also requires every holder of a permit to drill for gas or oil to have comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and environmental pollution liability insurance. If the bill passes, it would take effect Oct. 1. 

The bill would extend the same level of protection to private landowners and residents that currently applies to oil and gas drilling on state public lands and waters, according to Engage Mountain Maryland, a volunteer group. 

The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill last year that places a temporary ban on fracking until October 2017.