Senate panel votes to ban some forms of fracking in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Some forms of fracking to explore for oil and natural gas would be banned in Florida under a bill that cleared a state Senate committee Monday, with environmental groups and other opponents contending a major loophole could still threaten water supplies and the state's fragile ecosystem.

The legislation was approved, 3-2, by the Senate Agriculture Committee, with both Democrats voting against. Only New York, Vermont and Maryland have enacted bans on fracking, which uses high-pressure liquids to create cracks in underground rock to allow pockets of oil and gas to flow freely.