A bill to regulate horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in Illinois was delayed in House Committee Thursday after the bill's sponsor added an amendment that would require energy companies to hire state-licensed water-well contractors. The amendment also would require unionized well water contractors on job sites until contractors have received licensure.
Bill sponsor Rep. John Bradley reportedly added the amendment at the behest of a labor management organization representing Countryside, Ill.-based Operating Engineers Local 150 union. A Local 150 spokesman told reporters Thursday the amendment is intended to ensure aquifiers aren't contaminated during fracking.