hydraulic fracturing is currently taking place in the united states in arkansas, california, colorado, louisiana, north dakota, oklahoma, pennsylvania, texas, virginia, west virginia, and wyoming. other states, such as alabama, indiana, michigan, mississippi, new jersey, new york, and ohio, are either considering or preparing for drilling using this method. maryland and vermont have permanently banned hydraulic fracturing, and new york and north carolina have instituted temporary bans. new jersey currently has a bill before its legislature to extend a 2012 moratorium on hydraulic fracturing that recently expired. although a hydraulic fracturing moratorium was recently lifted in the united kingdom, the government is proceeding cautiously because of concerns about earthquakes and the environmental impact of drilling. hydraulic fracturing is currently banned in france and bulgaria.