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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), Physicians for Social Responsibility, Interfaith Power & Light, the NAACP and Environment Maryland are sponsoring Maryland’s first-ever statewide conference on fracking this weekend in Baltimore.
The all-day Saturday event at the University of Baltimore begins at 10 a.m. The morning panel discussion moderated by CCAN executive director Mike Tidwell will include Doug Shields, a former Pittsburgh councilman who led his city's successful effort to enact fracking protections, and Dana Shimrock, a Western Maryland resident who regrets signing a lease with the gas industry.
Maryland state delegate Heather Mizeur, who has proposed a moratorium on fracking in the state until more study is completed, will give the keynote address. Hydraulic fracking is a process, which uses millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals, along with horizontal drilling, to “fracture” rock and release natural gas.
In Maryland, areas of natural gas production in the massive Marcellus Shale rock formation are expected in Western Allegany and Garrett Counties, according to the state Department of the Environment.
Three breakout sessions with state legislators, citizen activists and environmental leaders are scheduled for the afternoon.
Lester Brown, president of the Environmental Policy Institute, is the closing keynote speaker.
Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for students through Dec. 7, and $20 at the door.
More information and online registration can be found here.
