Harris Declares She Will Not Ban Fracking

During a recent debate, Vice President Kamala Harris faced questions about her evolving policy positions since her initial presidential campaign in 2019. At that time, she had expressed support for a ban on fracking, a contentious method used for extracting oil and gas from underground rock formations.

When pressed on this shift, Harris stated emphatically, “My values have not changed.” She defended her position by referencing her role in the development of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions that opened up new leases for fracking.

In response to the question regarding fracking, Harris elaborated on her stance: “We have got to invest in diverse sources of energy so we reduce our reliance on foreign oil.” She highlighted that the United States has seen the largest increase in domestic oil production in its history, attributing this success to a balanced energy policy that does not depend excessively on foreign supplies.

The debate, held on September 10th in Pennsylvania, was the first encounter between Harris and former President Donald Trump and may be the only one in this election cycle. Harris stepped in as the Democratic presidential nominee this summer, replacing President Joe Biden after his performance in a June debate faced significant criticism, prompting discussions around his potential withdrawal from the race.

An analysis by the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll revealed that more than two-thirds of the American public intended to watch most or all of the debate. Despite many voters having already made up their minds about whom to support, 14 percent indicated that the debate could play a significant role in swaying their choice.