LANSING, Mich., April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley in response to today's decision by the State Board of Canvassers to allow a ballot question committee to try for a third time to totally prohibit a safe and proven method of energy exploration.

"We're very disappointed in today's decision by the State Board of Canvassers to allow a badly flawed petition to ban hydraulic fracturing in Michigan to be circulated by a group that is not being straightforward with voters about the content of their proposal. The petition language is deliberately vague and fails to give voters fair notice that this proposal is an unprecedented attack on private property rights that would limit energy production, result in lost jobs, increase the cost of home heating and substantially reduce state funding for parks and recreation."

"We strongly urge voters not to sign this flawed petition that would severely limit Michigan's energy future."

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,700 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce