The state legislature of the US state of Maryland has voted to ban fracking in the state. Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican Party member, is expected to sign the measure formally, making Maryland the second state to block fracking. New York halted the drills in 2015.

US media called the vote a victory for Maryland anti-fracking activists, who have been lobbying heavily since drillers began considering operations in the state's portion of the Marcellus shale basin, one of the biggest contingent fields. The neighboring state of Pennsylvania has wholeheartedly embraced fracking.

Betsy Nicholas, executive director of the Waterkeepers Chesapeake group, part of an anti-fracking coalition in the state, said the vote was the result of an “incredible grassroots movement across Maryland, and especially in Western Maryland,” which she said demanded that the legislature protect their families, livelihood, clean water and air from the irreversible damage caused by fracking.

The oil and gas industry said the measure will prevent the industry from providing an economic boom for parts of the state. Exploiting Pennsylvania’s share of the Marcellus shale basin has helped the state to somewhat revitalize the economy in depressed regions, but they have paid the price in scarred landscapes, environmental advocates said.