There were a handful high-profile hydraulic fracturing bans announced in Colorado and New Jersey communities in late 2013, and earlier in the year Vermont banned the controversial oil and gas well completion technique, the first US state to do so. However, Vermont and New Jersey don’t have significant natural gas resources, which makes the announcements largely symbolic and essentially political showmanship rather than decisions taken to address potential public health concerns.

This issue was raised during a press conference held after API President Jack Gerard gave his annual State of American Energy speech in Washington DC earlier this week. Gerard was asked if API had plans to engage in any future local fracking battles and in his response Gerard quoted New Jersey Governor Chris Christie:

“When you look at those who outright oppose the development of oil and natural gas, an interesting phenomenon has been occurring over the past few years, where they’re finding more and more proxies or surrogates, if you will, to stop the production of this widely-needed and used energy resource.

What we’re finding today, as you see across the country, is more and more [activists] are moving to localities, where they go to cities, even some cities and jurisdictions where there is no oil and gas activity.

Look at Vermont. Look at New Jersey. Why would you spend your time banning something that doesn’t exist? I believe Governor Christie said it best when – I’m paraphrasing now. He said, ‘Well, we may as well ban elephant hunting as well.’” – Jack Gerard, API President