SPRINGFIELD - Despite all the environmentalists' negative public relations about fracking, a movement for Illinois to tap into the industry was introduced Thursday in Springfield, and was endorsed by Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn, who tweeted:
In addition, GROW-IL, a pro-fracking coalition led by the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Illinois AFL-CIO and the Illinois Petroleum Council, reacted today to fracking legislation (HB 2615) sponsored by Rep. John Bradley (D) and Rep. David Reis (R).
In a statement to the press, the coalition said the Bradley/Reis legilsation is a "step in the right direction" and encouraged the General Assembly to focus on a "common-sense framework that maximizes [Illinois'] energy resources," while putting people to work.
Hydraulic fracturing is the process of releasing natural gas and oil from rock deposits deep underground by fracturing shale formations. This cutting-edge technology allows shale gas to be safely extracted from the New Albany Shale in southeast Illinois. The United States is poised to become the largest producer of both natural gas and oil in the next five years and Illinois can be a leader in that energy effort if Springfield can support policies to maximize our energy resources.
