Energy Boom? Fracking and Politics

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. energy boom is blurring the traditional political battle lines across the country.

Democrats are split between environmentalists and business and labor groups — and one key issue is the proposed Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline.

Some deeply conservative areas are allying with conservationists against fracking, the drilling technique that's largely responsible for the boom.

There's even more confusion among Democrats in the states as drilling rigs multiply and approach schools and parks.

California Gov. Jerry Brown was shouted down at a recent state convention by activists angry about his support for fracking.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has kept fracking in limbo for three years while his administration studies health and safety issues.

In Colorado, Gov. John Hickenlooper has drawn environmentalists' ire for defending the energy industry.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.