TRENTON – Gov. Christie vetoed the anti-fracking bill today, citing the commerce statute.
Environmentalists were hoping Christie would sign the bill that would prohibit the treatment or storage of hydraulic fracturing waste in New Jersey.
That process of gas drilling, in use in Pennsylvania, has spurred concerns about potentially contaminated wastewater ending up in New Jersey.
Christie said in his veto message, however, that the commerce clause raised constitutional issues about barring transportation of the wastewater.
“Accordingly, because the purpose and plain effect of Assembly Bill No. 575 is to economically isolate New Jersey by placing an embargo on out-of-state commerce in violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause, I herewith return Assembly Bill No. 575 without my approval,” Christie wrote.
The issue is not settled, however. The Delaware River Basin Commission has had a “fracking’’ moratorium in place for some time, but eventually will meet to consider whether to prolong it or end it.
