Ban on Fracking in Oregon to 2025 Under Consideration by Committee

The oil and gas industry is pushing back on a bill that would ban hydraulic fracturing in Oregon until 2025.

The bill sponsor, Democratic Rep. Ken Helm, told a House committee Tuesday the proposal puts the state ahead of the curve in case oil and gas companies want to start fracking in Oregon.

Representatives from the oil and gas industry say legislation is unnecessary because there are already a number of rules in place on the practice.

Environmental groups say they have concerns about methane leaks and the impact of fracking on water supplies.

Fracking is a drilling technique that involves pumping huge volumes of water, sand and chemicals underground to split open rocks to allow oil and gas to flow.