RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue announced Sunday that she has vetoed a controversial proposal to legalize fracking.
The bill, Senate Bill 820, was backed by Republican leaders in the House and Senate, who said it would give state regulators up to two years to implement rules. Lawmakers would have to approve those rules before any commercial wells could be drilled.
But environmental advocates pushed Perdue to veto the bill. They say safeguards should be put in place before fracking is legalized, not the other way around.
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Perdue said that, although she supports fracking, the legislation moves too quickly.
“This bill does not do enough to ensure that adequate protections for our drinking water, landowners, county and municipal governments, and the health and safety of our families will be in place before fracking begins,” Perdue said.
She says she tried to work with lawmakers, but they refused to negotiate.
