Greenstein, Bateman Resolution Urging Governor Murphy to Block Proposed Fracking Rules for the Delaware River Basin Passes Senate

TRENTON – A Senate Concurrent Resolution sponsored by Senator Linda Greenstein and Senator Christopher Bateman, which would urge Governor Phil Murphy to block a proposed Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) rule permitting the storage, treatment, disposal and discharge of wastewater generated from fracking in the basin, passed the Senate today.

“We need to keep fracking and fracking waste out of the Delaware River watershed,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “New Jersey’s drinking water sources shouldn’t be placed in danger by out-of-state fracking companies discharging their pollution into our watershed. I urge Governor Murphy to do everything he can to ensure the DRBC moves forward with a full ban on fracking and fracking waste in the Delaware watershed.”

“Ignoring the safety and environmental concerns surrounding fracking is completely irresponsible,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “The Delaware River Basin supplies clean drinking water to millions of people. We cannot allow oil and gas companies to come here and put families at risk. I have been speaking out against fracking and unnecessary pipelines for years and I will continue to work with anyone, regardless of party, who shares that goal. There are very few efforts that are more important than safeguarding the natural resources we rely on now, so our children and grandchildren can have access to them, too.”

The resolution, SCR-150, would also urge Governor Murphy, the chair of the DCRBC, to permanently ban fracking within the basin.

The resolution passed the Senate with a vote of 33-2.