N.J. Gov. Vetoes Permanent Ban on Fracking But Wants Further Study

TRENTON, N.J. - Calling it "premature and ill-advised," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that would permanently ban the "fracking" method of gas drilling in New Jersey, but sent the bill back to the Legislature with suggested amendments. S-2576 (N.J. Assembly).

The governor also said in his Aug. 25 conditional veto that he was imposing a one-year ban on the hydraulic fracturing method of drilling, effective immediately, and asking the state's Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate its environmental impact.

The governor said that the legislative debate showed there is "no clear consensus on the merits of …