TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Legislation that would ban two of three forms of fracking in Florida for oil and natural gas exploration has cleared a state House panel.
The House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture and natural resources voted 10-2 on Tuesday for the bill, which bans two common forms of fracking but would still permit a rock-dissolving technique called matrix acidizing.
Environmental groups say that is a loophole putting underground aquifers at risk of contamination from potentially dangerous chemicals. The petroleum industry also opposes the bill because it would hinder use of other fracking techniques.
Fracking uses high-pressure liquids to create cracks in underground rock to allow pockets of oil and gas to flow freely.
Matrix acidizing is commonly used to clean and maintain wells.
A similar bill is moving in the Senate.
