CUMBERLAND — It wasn’t supposed to be a debate, but when Amy Fabbri of Frostburg took a strong stand against natural gas drilling in Marcellus shale at a public meeting, legislators got their dander up and a spirited exchange followed.

“I oppose hydraulic fracturing. I support Governor (Martin) O’Malley’s moratorium. I want to know our rural environment is going to be protected,” Fabbri said. “I encourage you not to look at short-term profits. I cannot support or vote for candidates who support hydraulic fracturing.”

In order to get the gas trapped in Marcellus shale to the surface, chemicals, water and sand are pumped underground to break apart rock formations and free the gas. The process is called hydraulic fracturing.

“What would you suggest we use as an energy source?” Delegate Wendell Beitzel asked. Beitzel said the nation needs to be more self-sufficient in energy production.

“We need to start consuming less,” Fabbri said. She also said many potential energy sources, like solar power, are not being given enough support.

Beitzel and Sen. George Edwards continued to question Fabbri for what seemed to be 15 minutes, alternately arguing facts and policy with her. They both pointed out the economic benefits that natural gas development could bring to the area.

Adequate safety regulations will be in place to protect the environment, Edwards said.

“All four of us were born and raised in this area. We wouldn’t do anything to knowingly hurt this area,” said Beitzel, referring to himself, Edwards and delegates Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers Jr.

Fabbri didn’t back down. She also criticized the coal industry, which didn’t sit well with Edwards and Beitzel.

Fabbri grew up in Kentucky, where she said she saw the problems coal mining could cause. She said poverty and stream-destroying acid mine drainage were often associated with coal production, among other problems.

The lights in the auditorium and in most of the houses in the area are powered by coal-fired power plants, Beitzel said. Edwards said coal is an important creator of jobs for the region and that many of the problems related to mining are from old mines dug before modern regulations were in place.

“I don’t want to debate,” said Fabbri at one point. She said she came to offer her opinion as a citizen.

Fabbri said she thought the issue is important enough to stay up “past my bedtime” and pointed out her son was asleep in the audience.

The exchange took place at the District 1 delegation’s prelegislative public meeting Wednesday night at Allegany College of Maryland. The 50 folks who showed up included many wanting to discuss Marcellus shale drilling. The meeting started at 7 p.m. and was still going strong at 10 p.m.

Marcellus shale formations throughout the eastern U.S. harbor large untapped natural gas resources. The total value of the natural gas in Allegany County’s Marcellus shale could be close to $15.72 billion, with the average well earning $65,000 to $524,000 yearly, University of Maryland Extension staff has said.

Fabbri was joined in her concerns by Jackie Sams of Cumberland.

“I want to go on record as opposing any Marcellus shale gas drilling unless, or until, safeguards are put in place to address local issues,” Sams said. “I am concerned that enormous profits will be made by companies that are located in distant states while local people, including volunteers, are left to deal with the fallout,” Sams said.

“Traffic, water quality, emergency response, forest fragmentation, rights of landowners and leaseholders, impact on local businesses and public health are all currently recognized issues on the ground which local residents, volunteers and governments will have to deal with,” Sams said.

Speaker after speaker discussed drilling for natural gas in Marcellus shale.

Lawrence Gingerich, a relative newcomer to the county, said he has experience as a safety consultant at drilling sites and offered a word of caution.

“If there is a possibility an error can be made, it will be made,” he said. “If we contaminate our water, we’ll be in trouble. If we don’t have water, it is more valuable than gold,” Gingerich said.

Jon Felton of Frostburg said he was speaking for himself and several of his neighbors.

“We fear it, we don’t like it,” he said.

“This is a real controversial issue for a lot of people,” Beitzel said.

“It needs to be done responsibly,” Edwards said. “We’ll have stricter rules for it (than other states).”

Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.