I live in the front range of Colorado. There is a fracking epidemic out here in the areas outside of the metro area.
Ignoring the "it creates jobs and grows the economy" argument, the oil and gas companies basically bribe communities to allow it. The town of Erie has a gorgeous new high school and rec center, and it is almost entirely paid for by fracking revenues. One of their summer festivals is heavily subsidized by the same industry.
Given that most people think of only themselves, I am not remotely surprised that fracking bans or setbacks fail at a state level here.
As someone who has lived in Colorado for his entire life and is closely involved in local politics:
If your idea of "being socially responsible and improving lives of people around" is giving kickbacks to the local school to the tune of 0.0001% of your profit... I don't want to be part of your society. These businesses are absolutely anything but socially responsible.
Ignoring the "it creates jobs and grows the economy" argument, the oil and gas companies basically bribe communities to allow it. The town of Erie has a gorgeous new high school and rec center, and it is almost entirely paid for by fracking revenues. One of their summer festivals is heavily subsidized by the same industry.
Given that most people think of only themselves, I am not remotely surprised that fracking bans or setbacks fail at a state level here.