EARTH MATTERS: FRACK – SAY “NO” TO HICKENLOOPER

01 Mar EARTH MATTERS: FRACK – SAY “NO” TO HICKENLOOPER

Fracking Process

On June 22 of 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio caught fire due to the indiscriminate dumping of industrial chemicals and sewage into the river. Sadly, this event was not unique during the early- and mid-20th century industrialization of the Great Lakes region. Chicago, Buffalo, and Rouge rivers all repeatedly caught fire too. Outraged by the thick oily sludge that fouled their waterways, a firestorm of public fury served as the catalyst for establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and subsequent passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972.

Today, the fossil fuel industry has been attempting to revive the “era of burning rivers” on a national scale by injecting chemicals under high pressure into our subterranean water system in order to break open and extract oil and gas deposits for profit – without taking responsibility for their environmental impact. As a result of this oil and gas extraction process, known as fracking, legions of Americans are able to light the tap water in their homes on fire. In addition, the aquifers that supply water for their agricultural farms and ranches have been contaminated with toxic chemicals. Consequently, they are losing a key economic resource and endangering the health of present and future generations.

Not surprisingly, the fossil fuel industry’s attempt to squeeze more blood from the turnip has sparked concerned Americans to hold these violators accountable for their actions or be banned from fracking in their communities. Recently, the cities of Longmont and Fort Collins in Colorado have elected to ban fracking. After an intense review of scientific evidence and public opinion, these rural agricultural communities have determined they value the long-term availability of clean useable water more than a short-term revenue gain derived from permit fees, taxes, and temporary jobs.

Rocky Mountain Frack

Unfortunately, lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry have pressured Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to threaten he would sue any local government in the state that attempts to ban fracking in its community. Hickenlooper claims that banning oil and gas exploration and production within a city’s boundaries is a “taking” of the mineral rights of the city’s own citizens – even if the majority of city’s citizens want to ban fracking. In response to Hickenlooper’s threat to sue, Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat said “it’s not about defiance; it’s about what’s good for our residents and what’s the best way to achieve that.”

Thankfully, Governor Hickenlooper’s threat to sue has been meet with significant opposition. If you feel that local governments should have the right to ban fracking in their communities please help stop the fossil fuel industry from deciding your communities future by calling Hickenlooper’s office at 303-866-2471 or 1-877-292-7298 and let him know you oppose his position.