NEWARK, Del. (AP) — Environmentalists and other opponents are asking Delaware Gov. Jack Markell to vote against regulations that would allow a controversial gas drilling method in the Delaware River Basin.
Markell is a member of the Delaware River Basin Commission, which will vote next week on whether to allow the drilling process known as fracking to extract natural gas.
The process involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to break up shale and rock. Opponents say many of the chemicals are known carcinogens and that fracking could pollute the Delaware River - a drinking water source for more than 15 million people.
Opponents planned press conferences Monday at five locations in the region. Organizers hope Markell will attend their event at the University of Delaware so they can give him letters expressing their concerns.
