Bill Text: NJ AJR67 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Urges Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania to enact moratorium banning hydraulic fracturing for natural gas exploration or production until EPA concludes study and issues findings on that drilling practice. *

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-03-21 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [AJR67 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-AJR67-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 67

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 6, 2011

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  CONNIE WAGNER

District 38 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  REED GUSCIORA

District 15 (Mercer)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington and Camden)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Conners

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Urges Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania to enact moratorium banning hydraulic fracturing for natural gas exploration or production until EPA concludes study and issues findings on that drilling practice.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on March 7, 2011, with amendments.

  

A Joint Resolution urging the Governors and the Legislatures of Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania to enact moratoriums against hydraulic fracturing ¹for the purpose of natural gas exploration or production¹ until the United States Environmental Protection Agency concludes its study and issues its findings on that drilling practice.

 

Whereas, Hydraulic fracturing is the drilling technique of expanding existing fractures or creating new fractures in rock by injecting water, often with chemicals, sand, or other substances, and often under pressure, into or underneath the surface of the rock, and often for the purposes of natural gas exploration and production; and

Whereas, When hydraulic fracturing is used for natural gas exploration or production, there may be a greater volume of chemicals used for the fracturing and their toxicity may be of more concern, because during the fracturing, chemicals and materials can suddenly and in an uncontrolled manner be introduced into surface waters and ground water as occurred in June 2010 in Pennsylvania when hydraulic fracturing at a drill site in Clearfield County created an uncontrolled release of many gallons of contaminated water and natural gas; and

Whereas, It still remains to be disclosed the extent of any contamination of surface waters or ground water from that release or even the chemicals and their concentration used at the Clearfield County, Pennsylvania drill site; and

Whereas, There have been reports of contaminated drinking water and other environmental problems in areas of the country where hydraulic fracturing has been implemented; and

Whereas, The concerns surrounding this drilling practice and its potentially harmful environmental effects have led the United States Environmental Protection Agency to undertake a study of hydraulic fracturing, the techniques and materials employed in its use, and the environmental impact of these practices, techniques and materials; now therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The Governor and the Legislature of New Jersey urge the Governor and the Legislature of Delaware, the Governor and the Legislature of New York, and the Governor and the Legislature of Pennsylvania to join with their neighboring states and enact a moratorium against hydraulic fracturing ¹for the purpose of natural gas exploration or production¹ in their respective states until the United States Environmental Protection Agency concludes its study and issues its findings on that drilling practice.

 

     2.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.