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The Biden-Harris Fracking Plan, Explained

October 8, 2020

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris twice claimed Wednesday that Joe Biden would not ban fracking if he took office, but both Harris and Biden repeatedly said they would support a ban or phase it out during the Democratic primary.

Harris said there was "no question" she favored banning fracking during her failed presidential run. Biden now says he is only for preventing new fracking leases on federal lands, but he said at a primary debate there would be no room for it in his administration, said at another debate there would be "no new fracking," told a climate activist he would "love to" get rid of it though it would take time, and also said he would "phase out" the practice and get rid of fossil fuels.

Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is a drilling and extraction method of obtaining oil and natural gas from underground shale rocks. The explosion of fracking in the United States in the 21st century has helped the country become more energy-independent and created a new energy industry, but left-wing figures oppose it over environmental concerns.