fracking

To better understand Dominion Energy's LNG terminal in Cove Point and its role in the global LNG trade, Baltimore Sun reporter Kevin Rector spent months reporting in and around Cove Point, in the fracking fields of Pennsylvania and in Japan, the largest foreign consumer of Cove Point gas.

By Kevin Rector

Mar 20, 2019

Despite a ban on fracking within Maryland, Dominion Energy's new Cove Point liquefied natural gas export facility in Calvert County has made the state a player in the global LNG market — with U.S. shale gas leaving through Maryland and arriving in countries all across the globe.

By Kevin Rector

Mar 20, 2019

Maryland's governor may be a moving target on energy policy but he's moving in the right direction.

Maryland’s Board of Public Works has unanimously voted down a proposal to approve a pipeline carrying fracked gas through three miles of Western Maryland — after years of environmentalists and concerned neighbors fighting the project. Board members cited concern for the environment.

By Luke Broadwater

Jan 2, 2019

Hogan may claim to be pro-environment but his support of fracked natural gas proves otherwise.

Even though Gov. Larry Hogan agreed to ban fracking in Maryland, he has quietly sought to expand the infrastructure for the use of fracked gas in the state.

A year after Maryland leaders settled a debate over the natural gas harvesting technique known as fracking by permanently banning it, environmentalists are battling projects like a Potomac River pipeline, the Cove Point terminal and a major investment by AtlaGas.

By Scott Dance

Mar 3, 2018

Maryland wants to spend $103 million to expand natural gas service, but environmental ramifications are mixed at best.

New laws on sexual assault shift focus to victims' rights

By Michael Dresser

Sep 27, 2017

Maryland needs energy that is not only affordable but safe and clean.

When Gov. Larry Hogan signed a state fracking ban into law Tuesday, the stroke of his pen might have sent ripples beyond Maryland’s borders.

By Scott Dance

Apr 8, 2017

Advocates for clean energy and the environment cheered Tuesday as Gov. Larry Hogan followed through on his promise to sign a statewide ban on a controversial form of drilling for natural gas. Despite this victory, environmentalists remain skeptical about Hogan, who they say has a mixed record on environmental issues.

By Pamela Wood

Apr 5, 2017

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has a week to sign or veto a stack of controversial bills the General Assembly sent him Wednesday afternoon, starting the clock for a heightened political fight in final days of the legislative session.

By Erin Cox

Mar 29, 2017

The Maryland General Assembly on Monday gave final passage to a ban on fracking in the state, sending the measure to Gov. Larry Hogan for his promised signature.

By Pamela Wood

Mar 27, 2017

The actor who played the patriarch of the Addams Family says the gas drilling process known as fracking is no joke.

A ban on the hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in Maryland has moved a step closer to approval.

In a surprise announcement, Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday he would support a ban on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial form of drilling for natural gas that's been proposed for Western Maryland.

In a surprise announcement, Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday he would support a ban on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial form of drilling for natural gas that's been proposed for Western Maryland.

About 55 people attended a community forum on fracking at Harford Community College Wednesday night, where people learned that fracking in Western Maryland could cause harm statewide.

By David Anderson

Mar 16, 2017

Conway should not block a fracking ban

The House of Delegates is poised to approve a bill to ban "fracking" for natural gas, but the measure won't move forward in the Senate unless supporters can get a veto-proof majority, a key senator said Wednesday.

Chanting "Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho! All this fracking's got to go!" hundreds of demonstrators marched in a circle around the State House Thursday to draw attention to an effort to ban the controversial form of gas drilling in Maryland.

By Pamela Wood

Mar 2, 2017

Elected leaders of the Town of Bel Air have taken a stand against fracking in Maryland, even though it's not likely the practice ever will happen in Harford County.

By Erika Butler

Feb 28, 2017

About 4,000 acres out of 100,000 in Garrett County once leased for natural gas wells remain under contract, so even if the General Assembly doesn't ban fracking, Western Maryland isn't expecting an energy boom.

By Scott Dance

Feb 18, 2017

Opponents of the natural gas extraction method known as fracking introduced a bill in the Maryland Senate Friday to ban the practice.

By Michael Dresser

Feb 3, 2017

Environment Secretary Benjamin Grumbles referred to Maryland's proposed fracking regulations as the "platinum standard" compared to other states. But these regulations are wholly inadequate and, if anything, speak to the lax standards elsewhere. As is often said, the devil is in the details. Here are some of the details that should be of concern to all residents.

Putting restraints on police electronic surveillance, a liquor license for a restaurant near a Frederick Road church, protecting honeybees, and money to fix the roof of a Catonsville horse barn are among the items on the to-do lists of the area's delegates and senators at the start of the Maryland legislature.

By Jon Bleiweis

Jan 11, 2017

Budget issues, paid sick leave and an early veto fight over a renewable energy bill will dominate the 2017 General Assembly session.

Harford County opponents of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to capture natural gas and shale petroleum deposits picked what at first appeared to be a curious venue to go public with their concerns: A meeting of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

By David Anderson

Jan 4, 2017

Those advocating fracking in Western Md. haven't done their homework.

Risks posed by hydraulic fracturing more than offset any possible rewards for Western Maryland

A Tuesday hearing of regulations to protect water quality and public health should fracking one day take place in Maryland portended an imminent fight over whether to ban the controversial gas-extraction process before the proposed rules take effect next year.

By Scott Dance

Dec 20, 2016

Whether Maryland's draft regulations regarding fracking are truly the most stringent as some have claimed is debatable, but it is also irrelevant. They fail to adequately protect public health and the environment, and that is all that matters. For example, these "most stringent" regulations loosen safeguards to protect our water.

As environmental advocates in Maryland push for a statewide ban on the controversial gas-drilling technique known as fracking, they are seeking to recast environmentalism from a political objective to a moral imperative by making their case in church.

By Colin Campbell

Nov 13, 2016

As I watched the kids enjoying the fishing and related events at the third annual Huck Finn Day at Stony Run Park on Oct. 30, I said to myself, "Well, Trout

Western Maryland has more to lose than gain from fracking

New fracking rules won't protect the environment

Fracking rules will accomplish nothing but hurt Western Maryland's economy

Maryland environmental regulators introduced rules to govern the gas-drilling technique known as fracking on Monday, one year before a fracking ban ends.

By Scott Dance

Sep 27, 2016

State environmental regulators will not adopt rules to govern fracking in Western Maryland by Oct. 1, missing a legal deadline that marks one year until a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing expires.

By Scott Dance

Sep 18, 2016

When Maryland began studying fracking in 2011, research on impacts was in its infancy. Yet by the end of 2015, there were almost seven hundred peer-reviewed articles on fracking impacts on air, water, seismicity, climate and human and animal health. The emerging picture is clear: Fracking has no place in Maryland, or anywhere else.

Maryland environmental officials are holding a series of public meetings starting Wednesday to discuss the future of the gas-drilling process known as fracking here.

By Scott Dance

Jun 22, 2016

Ban fracking in Maryland

The Maryland Geological Survey plans to install a seismometer in Western Maryland next year, anticipating the chance of earthquakes linked to 'fracking.'

By Scott Dance

Aug 19, 2015

Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles says his agency will gather more information and listen to citizens as it develops rules for

A handful of ex-offenders rallied in Baltimore Monday, trying to persuade Gov. Larry Hogan to sign a bill restoring voting rights to felons before they complete the terms of their probation and parole.

By Erin Cox

May 11, 2015

University of Maryland study finds emissions linked to the controversial drilling technique commonly called fracking" in the air in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., far from the nearest natural gas well.

By Timothy B. Wheeler

Apr 30, 2015

Perhaps if there is nothing to hide — if the fracking drilling practice truly causes minimal to no environmental impact — then maybe it's time for drilling companies to let Maryland really get to know them? And not just on the economic level, but on a deep, environmental level.

Maryland lawmakers on Friday voted to send Gov. Larry Hogan a 2 /2-year fracking ban, marking the legislature's most aggressive move yet to curb the controversial natural gas extraction process.

By Erin Cox

Apr 10, 2015