Illinois gov praises House-approved fracking-bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn, a manufacturers' association and representatives from the oil and gas industry are praising a measure to regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling in Illinois.

The House overwhelmingly approved the plan Thursday.

The bill outlines rules that energy companies would have to follow during hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

The executive vice president of the Illinois Oil and Gas Association says efforts on the compromise bill were "monumental. The head of the Illinois Manufacturing Association says it'll create jobs.

Ann Alexander is a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council who helped craft the regulations. She says it's good to see Illinois moving forward with public protections.

Opponents worry it would cause air and water pollution and deplete water resources.