Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is headed to Southern Illinois... and a local lawmaker says legislation before the General Assembly would help protect citizens and environment.
Fracking is a process that involves pumping a chemical mixture thousands of feet underground to extract oil and natural gas. Around the country, critics say it's bad for the environment. Reports have linked fracking to water contamination, destruction of farm land, and even earthquakes. State Senator John Jones of Mount Vernon says he worked in the oil industry and says a proposal he's backing would regulate fracking and prevent safety risks:
"I think we've tried to protect the general public to the very best of our ability with this language and I don't see any foreseeable problems being created by fracking wells under this legislation."
The proposal would enforce standards for the wells that hold the chemical mixture, which includes water, sand and other chemicals. It would also require companies to disclose what chemicals are being used.
Millions of dollars have already been spent on leases for mineral and land rights in southern Illinois. The first hydraulic fracturing is expected to begin in June in Saline County. Anti-fracking groups say they will continue to try to prevent the drilling from happening.