The stakes are high in fracking

Michael R. Bloomberg and George P. Mitchell’s Aug. 24 op-ed, “Keep fracking safe – and sensible” did not mention Maryland. Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has placed a hold on gas-drilling permits in Garrett and Allegany counties while the work of the advisory commission of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative is carried out. The Maryland General Assembly considered many of the issues highlighted by the January report resulting from the first phase of the initiative, but only one bill with a limited impact was passed. Lawmakers did not even adequately fund phases two and three of the initiative.