Coalition pushes for state to enact hydraulic fracturing regulations after more than a year

Four hundred days have passed since the state legislature in Illinois passed the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act in 2013, but as yet the law has not been enacted. That leaves the legislators and environmental groups in Illinois who worked closely together on the bill scratching their heads and wondering why Governor Pat Quinn and the Department of Natural Resources are dragging their feet on something that has been projected to create tens of thousands of jobs in a state where jobs are badly needed.

“It’s the strongest and safest fracking bill in the country, and for the life of me I can’t believe that we’re not up and running,” said State Representative Brandon Phelps at a press conference on Tuesday.

A complete story of Tuesday morning’s meeting can be found in this week’s print and electronic editions of The Vienna Times.