RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Environmental and public interest groups are urging officials to halt any new fracking efforts in Virginia until they complete a thorough review of the state's standards.
The groups say Virginia's current safeguards on fracking are inadequate and outdated. They're urging Gov. Terry McAuliffe to conduct a comprehensive review before approving any new permits for oil and gas drilling that would require fracking.
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Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a high-pressure technique for extracting oil and gas from shale deposits.
The groups pushing for the review are the Virginia Organizing Washington County Chapter, Clean Water Action, Virginia Sierra Club and Shenandoah Riverkeeper.
Virginia's Department of Mines Minerals and Energy has proposed changes to some aspects of the state's fracking laws. But the groups say more are needed.
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