The oil industry and environmentalists – two groups seen as political opposites – managed to sit down together in recent months and form regulations that may become a model for the rest of the nation, the Associated Press reports. The issue is the drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” In Illinois, members of the oil and gas industry wanted to use the method with a minimum of red tape, while some environmentalists wanted to ban it altogether.
First they trimmed the list of negotiators down to a core group, representing industry, environmental groups, and representatives from the attorney general’s and governor’s offices, regulatory agencies and lawmakers. There were discussions with outside technical experts on complicated issues.
The two sides stopped creating meaningless rhetorical divisions and instead had real discussions. People didn’t have to be for the environment and against the economy, or vice-versa. They chose a plan for safe energy development. They addressed the risks and benefits in a realistic, adult way. Both sides had to participate in the negotiations, and over the course of a few months they came to an agreement.
By drafting regulations that both sides can live with, Illinois has shown other states the way. In fact, maybe this should become a model that Congress can follow when dealing with political issues. Wouldn’t that be refreshing?