A House committee has approved a plan to speed up hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas in Illinois.
The Executive Committee voted 7-4 Monday to advance the plan by Rep. John Bradley despite protests from environmentalists. Bradley's legislation would take away the power of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules for the extraction method known as ``fracking.'' The Marion Democrat is frustrated because lawmakers approved fracking a year ago. IDNR still hasn't produced rules and drilling equipment lies silent.
Environmentalists say the legislation takes rule-making authority away from professionals and disregards tens of thousands of public comments. Anti-fracking protesters held signs during committee testimony that read, ``Don't silence 35,000 voices on fracking.''
Southern Illinoisans concerned about fracking gathered at State Representative John Bradley's office in Marion Tuesday morning to oppose his amendment to the fracking law approved last year. Environmentalists opposed to fracking believe Bradley's proposal is being influenced by the oil and gas industry. Rene Cook is a supporter of Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment or SAFE. She questions the timing of Bradley's proposal. It would take away the power of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules for the extraction method. It would also place a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in northern Illinois.
The bill moves to the House floor.
