As the 2016 presidential race heats up, the candidates are under increasing scrutiny regarding where they stand on fracking. Do they support hydraulic fracturing, or are they working toward a comprehensive ban?
Republican Presidential Candidates on Fracking
Republican presidential candidates are the easiest group to address, because they universally stand in favor of continued hydrofracking. Those on the right only differ on to what degree big energy corporations have corrupted… er, contributed to their campaigns. For example, Ted Cruz, after raising millions in a secret meeting with the fracking industry, announced his plan to deregulate fracking in a blatant display of corporate corruption.
With the consequences of hydrofracking becoming clearer by the day, it’s frightening to think of a Republican-run White House. Many of the Republican candidates come from states where fracking is a major industry, and their support of the practice is an integral part of each candidate’s political platform. Jeb Bush has championed fracking as a “phenomenal achievement“, and as co-owner of a company that is a managing partner of FracStar Logistics (a company that provides sand for fracking), Bush has a personal stake in the practice. Chris Christie has vetoed several proposed fracking bans in New Jersey despite overwhelming support from both parties.
Needless to say, Americans can’t rely on the Republican candidates to work in our best interests as far as fracking is concerned.
Democratic Presidential Candidates on Fracking
Thus far, Bernie Sanders is the only candidate with widespread popularity who has said explicitly that he wants to phase out fracking. In 2014, Sanders called for widespread bans on fracking, stating “I’m very proud that the state of Vermont banned fracking. I hope communities all over California, and all over America do the same.”
Sanders has made a name for himself by connecting with the needs and desires of everyday, working-class Americans who don’t want their lives and land put at risk for corporate gain. He also explicitly opposes the Keystone XL pipeline.
In contrast, Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton refuses to answer any questions about the Keystone pipeline and has been similarly cagey about how she addresses the issue of fracking. Though she has spoken in favor of increased fracking regulation, Clinton and the State Department have worked closely with energy companies to push back against fracking bans, spreading fracking around the globe. Hillary has been described as the woman who “sold fracking to the world“, and most expect her to continue Obama’s unfortunate legacy of perpetuating fracking.
Perhaps our next film should be “Dear Hillary Clinton”?
As for the remaining Democratic candidates, only one — Jim Webb — has taken a stance against fracking. Both Lincoln Chafee and Martin O’Malley have passed measures to support the extraction of natural gas and oil in their states. Unfortunately, it does not appear that Webb has the support necessary to seriously compete in the presidential race.
We’ll have to wait until November to see for sure, but unfortunately chances are that we’ll see two pro-fracking candidates vying for the 2016 presidential nomination.