One of the biggest critics of hydraulic fracturing in Illinois says it's still concerned about the state's new fracking rules, but some issues were addressed and improved.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released its draft of proposed fracking rules last week.
Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing our Environment - or SAFE - says it approves of expanded rules to cover radioactivity, for example. Also, permit hearings are required to be held in the same county as the proposed drilling site or within thirty miles. And, open pit storage will only be allowed for 7 days.
SAFE says it's also noteworthy that IDNR now has the right to impose additional sanctions to protect public health, public, safety, property, wildlife, aquatic life, and the environment.
Although SAFE will work within the legislative framework to continue to improve the rules currently set out, the group says its ultimate goal is still a fracking ban in Illinois - in large part due to southern Illinois' susceptibility to earthquakes.
