Colorado Senator Bennet Latest Democrat to Say “No” to Local Fracking Bans
Thursday October 13, 2016
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet is the latest Democratic elected official to reject local fracking bans.
During a recent debate between Bennet and his Republican challenger, El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn, 9 News moderators asked for a yes or no answer to the question “Should local governments in Colorado be able to ban fracking with voter approval?”
As video of the debate shows, Bennet answered unequivocally:
“No”
And showing that opposition to local fracking bans is in-fact a bipartisan position, Bennet’s Republican challenger Darryl Glenn agreed, answering “no” as well.
Bennet’s opposition to local fracking bans comes just after leaked emails revealed that Hillary Clinton’s campaign called the Bernie Sanders’ ban-fracking agenda “extreme,” “unfeasible” and “irresponsible.” In other words, the Clinton campaign clearly recognized that an anti-fracking platform will not sell with Colorado voters. From the emails:
“What does that mean? A complete 100% fracking ban. There is no elected dem and I believe no enviro group that takes this position. In fact, such an extreme position threatens the progress of common-sense safety measures like frack fluid disclosure and methane capture/air quality regulations.”
“The Denver Post Editorial Board could really smack him for this. This is tricky waters for caucus goers but his language may leave him vulnerable.”
Those points were reiterated in what is apparently a draft statement highlighting the economic and climate benefits of fracking proposed as a response to Sander’s ad:
“Bernie’s call for banning all hydraulic fracturing is, extreme, unfeasible and ignores the contribution...