At a recent CNN debate in Flint, Michigan, Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders sparred on a range of environmental issues, including a hot-button issue for many in her party’s base: fracking. While Sanders’ response was brief and unequivocal—“No, I do not support fracking”—Clinton’s required a bit more explanation.
Clinton gave a list of conditions that would have to be met in order for her to support hydraulic fracturing—including full disclosure of chemicals used, pollution controls and local approval for any projects.
“By the time we get through all of my conditions, I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place,” she said.
This was a stronger stance than Clinton has taken in the past. As Secretary of State, she supported fracking as a way to get the U.S. off of foreign oil and gas and encouraged America’s allies to do the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPVhPqy_Z6U
So what’s behind Clinton’s tough talk on fracking?
Terry Madonna, a pollster at Franklin and Marshall University, says—check the calendar. It’s primary season. And Democratic primary voters are much more liberal than voters in the general election.
“It’s another one of the positions that Hillary Clinton has moved further to the left,” she says.
Find more of this report on the site of our partner, Allegheny Front.
