Chris Christie lifts fracking ban in N.J., calls for more research

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey vetoed a bill that would permanently ban hydrofracking in that state and called upon the Legislature to pass a one-year moratorium that would allow time to study the issue before making a final decision.

Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed Thursday a permanent ban of a controversial natural gas drilling practice called fracking, and instead proposed the Legislature consider a one-year moratorium.

But one Senate sponsor of the bill said the Legislature may try to override his veto.

Environmentalists — who were anticipating at least a five-year ban at the beginning of the busy legislative day — were livid at the decision. Some said a one-year fracking ban was a “public relations stunt” or “pure politics” that leaves New Jersey open to future water pollution.