Politico: Colorado’s anti-fracking proposals “threaten to split” Democrats
A fracking rig on Colorado's Front Range. (Kevin J. Beaty)
Colorado’s Democrats and environmentalists can’t agree on two anti-fracking proposals that could go before voters in November, according to a weekend report out of Politico.
Initiatives 75 and 78 would give local governments more power to restrict the controversial drilling technique, along with other limits.
Politico reports that the “major green” groups will avoid the fight, fearing a “demoralizing defeat” before voters.
It’s also an unusual topic for Democrats – after all, Donald Trump has showed some support for the proposed limits, while Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper has historically supported fracking.
“A divisive referendum on oil and gas production would increase calls for Clinton to explicitly take a side,” as Politico puts it.
So far, the fight has not been even. As we reported last week, oil and gas interests are raising far more money than anti-fracking advocates. And Politico notes that this year’s referenda don’t seem to have the support of Tom Steyer, the wealthy environmentalist who bankrolled an earlier anti-fracking campaign.