Global Warming: 8 Quotes From Governors on Fracking in Their States

Governors for and against fracking have to deal with activists who believe the hydraulic drilling process has negative effects on global warming and the environment.

Regardless of which side they choose, the state leaders attempt to satisfy most of the people. Here are eight quotes from governors on fracking in their states:

1. "I will be bound by what the experts say," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference before declaring a statewide ban on fracking. "I think it's our responsibility to develop an alternative ... for safe, clean economic development."

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2. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf issued a moratorium on natural gas drilling on state parks, protecting about a million acres from fracking. However, he remained open about the possibilities for responsible fracking in other areas, "I absolutely want to do natural gas," Wolf said. "I think, if we do it right, we can create really good jobs and create industry, and sustain our strong economy in Pennsylvania," reports Philly.com.

3. California Gov. Jerry Brown has faced opposition from anti-fracking activists because of his rejection of a statewide ban. According to San Jose Mercury News, Brown told CNN, "We are not going to shut down a third of our oil production and force more oil coming from North Dakota, where they are fracking a lot more, to come by train or more boats and ships coming in from all over the world."

4. John Hickenlooper, governor of Colorado, tried to balance global warming concerns and policy. "Mineral rights under the lands are owned often by someone different than yourself," he told the National Journal. "Our state's Constitution guarantees the right to access those minerals. If you're going to ban fracking, you're saying people can't get access to their mineral rights. Historically, when the government does that, there is some compensation."

5. Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina reversed a ban on permits for fracking in 2014. "The expansion of our energy sector will not come at a cost to our precious environment," he promised. "This legislation has the safeguards to protect the high quality of life we cherish," reports The Huffington Post.

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6. In March 2015, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead responded to new rules on fracking by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). "Wyoming created safe, responsible standards for hydraulic fracturing years ago," he stated.

"BLM is not only late to the game, it proposes a rule that establishes a separate process for drilling and complicates compliance. I do not believe BLM has the authority to promulgate this rule and I have asked the Attorney General to evaluate a legal challenge."

7. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has been dealing with opposition to fracking from the state legislature in its attempt to ban drilling for natural gas in the western part of the state. He called fracking "an economic gold mine." Spokeswoman Erin Montgomery told The Washington Post that Hogan "has repeatedly said, if fracking can be done in an environmentally safe way, then he would want to move forward with it."

8. Gov. Rick Snyder is proud of the way Michigan has developed policies for fracking practices that are environmentally sound. "Michigan has a tremendous track record," he stated according to The Detroit News. "It's a poster child for how it could be done appropriately."

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