Hawaii County Council Backs Fracking Bill
From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:
A bill to ban hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — received the support of the Hawaii County Council during its first reading Wednesday.
The council, which must vote on the bill one more time, voted 7-0 in support after amending the legislation to increase penalties. Hilo Councilman Dennis Onishi and Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter were both absent.
The bill was drafted to prohibit a process known as “enhanced geothermal,” though it would apply to all forms of fracking.
Fracking involves injecting water and, at least in the most controversial practices, chemicals deep underground to break apart rock to access hard-to-reach resources, such as natural gas and oil. Read more.
And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:
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Calif. man, 30, dies in fall from Nakalele Point
KIUC seeks new fee for old meters
Kauai County wants state pesticide inspectors back
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Big Isle Council backs fracking bill
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Hawaii Council takes up tree-clearing bill
Photo: Fracking protesters in Europe. (greensefa)
—Chad Blair
