Harris no longer supports fracking ban, campaign says

Vice President Kamala Harris has made a significant shift in her stance on fracking, no longer supporting a ban on the controversial practice, according to reports from her campaign on Friday. This change comes in contrast to her previous position during the last presidential election, where she adamantly declared her support for banning fracking.

During a CNN town hall before dropping out of the presidential race in 2019, Harris stated, “there’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.” She emphasized the need for immediate action on public lands and highlighted the importance of legislation to address the environmental impact of fracking on communities. As a senator in 2019, she also cosponsored the Green New Deal, a comprehensive proposal aimed at combating climate change that includes a ban on fracking.

Despite Harris’s strong stance on environmental issues and climate change, her running mate President Biden has not been as vocal in his support for a fracking ban. While Biden had previously mentioned eliminating fracking during a primary debate, his campaign clarified his position to support the elimination of subsidies for coal and gas, along with promoting carbon capture technology.

Since officially endorsing Harris and stepping down from the race, Biden, along with Harris, has shifted towards a more moderate platform compared to their 2019 campaigns. This move has drawn criticism from political opponents, with former President Trump labeling Harris as a “radical liberal” and accusing her of driving the Biden administration towards extreme policies.

Trump has been quick to seize on Harris’s changing stance on fracking, portraying her as a threat to the energy industry and economic stability. He has lambasted her for her anti-fracking position and warned of the potential economic consequences of a fracking ban, claiming that it would lead to significantly higher energy costs for consumers.

In response to Trump’s attacks, Harris’s campaign has refuted claims of supporting a fracking ban, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to climate change legislation and domestic energy production. They highlighted the creation of energy jobs under the Biden-Harris administration and criticized Trump’s rollback of environmental regulations.

As the election season progresses, the debate over fracking and environmental policies is likely to remain a contentious issue. Harris’s evolving position on fracking reflects the complex challenges faced by policymakers in balancing environmental concerns with economic interests. The outcome of this debate could have far-reaching implications for the future of energy production and climate change mitigation efforts in the United States.