N.J. bill to ban treating fracking wastewater advances

As hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, helps harvest natural gas in Pennsylvania, New Jersey is considering banning the treatment, disposal or storage of fracking wastewater. Environmental groups say toxic chemicals in the wastewater could pose a threat to water supplies.

Tracy Carluccio with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network says plants in New Jersey could not properly treat water used in the fracking process.

“These wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove the pollutants in this wastewater,” Carluccio said. “So what will happen is, it’ll get diluted and the streams will be polluted.”

Sara Blum with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association says it’s short-sighted to ban a potential business.

“Looking at this, is there a way that we could use our hazardous waste recycling centers?” asked Bloom. “Is there a way that we could use other things? Is this another way that we could bring growth here to our state?” The bill passed a committee, but supporters doubt it will be approved by the full Legislature before the end of the current session.