O'Malley proposes $1.5M to study fracking in Maryland

Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday he included $1.5 million in his proposed fiscal 2014 budget to study the environmental affects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the state.

O’Malley, in response to a question following his presentation on the 2014 budget, said a study is needed to help develop what he called a “responsible environmental standard” on the controversial practice used to extract natural gas from underground rocks.

Proponents say the practice can unleash natural gas…