Vermont set to be first U.S. state to ban 'fracking'

Vermont is likely to become the first state to ban hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas,  reports Jason McLure of Reuters. The Vermont House of Representatives voted last week to approve a conference committee report calling for the ban, thus reconciling itself with a previously agreed-upon Senate bill. The measure will be sent to the desk of Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, who will sign it.

The move is seen as symbolic since the state sits outside the boundaries of the vast Marcellus shale formation. (Read more.)