Democrats will soon have a big, fat fight over fracking

[xchrom]

http://grist.org/news/democrats-will-soon-have-a-big-fat-fight-over-fracking/

?w=250&h=140

Most Democratic politicians say nice things about renewable energy and less-nice things about coal and earnest things about the need for climate action. But when it comes to fracking for natural gas, Dems and enviros are increasingly at odds.

Exhibit A: President Obama. He’s provided unprecedented support for clean energy. He’s making moves to curb pollution from coal-fired power plants. He’s saying climate change is a top priority for his second term. But he’s just fine with fracking. His administration has yet to impose any regulations on the process; it’s only offered weak draft rules so far. It recently approved plans for a third project to export fracked natural gas. Obama thinks natural gas is part of the climate solution, a bridge fuel that will help us make the transition from coal and oil to renewables, as he made clear in his big climate speech in June:

We should strengthen our position as the top natural gas producer because, in the medium term at least, it not only can provide safe, cheap power, but it can also help reduce our carbon emissions. …

The bottom line is natural gas is creating jobs. It’s lowering many families’ heat and power bills. And it’s the transition fuel that can power our economy with less carbon pollution even as our businesses work to develop and then deploy more of the technology required for the even cleaner energy economy of the future.

[newfie11]

1. The highest bidder will win

And we know which one that is. Money wins over environment every time.
So much for the earth.

[KG]

2. no reason to believe the dem party / obama will stand in the way of fracking/keystone

[Autumn]

3. Small Democrats might want to fight it, the people.

But big Democrats, the "leaders" will benefit from it financially so don't expect them to put up a fight.