September 20th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Supporters of fracking say they aren't concerned about Maryland missing an arbitrary deadline regarding gas drilling regulations, one year out from expiration of the statewide ban on the controversial gas-extraction technique.  With state environmental regulators expected to miss an Oct. 1 deadline, The Baltimore Sun reports details of how the state would manage risks to groundwater and public health in western Maryland remain unclear. Officials say they will likely issue the proposed regulations this fall. Under current law, energy companies can begin developing fracking operations in the state Oct. 1, 2017, but some lawmakers have pledged to permanently ban the practice.  Senator George Edwards, who backs fracking, has said that state officials should take their time vetting and revising the regulations…