Environmental

Colorado Residents Fight Draft Legislation on Local Control of Fracking


Denver, Co.–(ENEWSPF)–June 10, 2014.  On Friday, Governor Hickenlooper released draft legislation on local control that would call a special session of the Colorado legislature to consider a bill that could jeopardize the ability of local jurisdictions to protect themselves from drilling and fracking for gas and oil within their boundaries.

In response, Frack Free Colorado, Our Broomfield, Citizens for a Healthy Fort Collins, Our Longmont, Sierra Club, Environment Colorado, Food & Water Watch released the following statements:

“This ‘compromise’ is a sweetheart deal for the oil and gas industry.  The thousands of moms, dads and community members in Broomfield who voted to protect our constitutional rights were not consulted on this proposal.  We are adamantly opposed to it,” said Laura Fronckiewicz with Our Broomfield.

“We are deeply dismayed that this proposal will not protect the will of tens of thousands of Fort Collins residents who voted to protect public health, safety and property values from fracking last November,” said Kelly Giddens with Citizens for a Healthy Fort Collins.

“The continual plotting and planning by Governor Hickenlooper and the oil and gas industry to thwart or overthrow the will of the people of Colorado must end.  This so-called compromise is nothing of the sort.  Our Longmont vehemently opposes this back-room deal and will vigorously fight its implementation.  The people of Longmont voted overwhelmingly to ban fracking and its waste products within our city and we will accept nothing short of complete acceptance of our constitutional right to protect our health, safety, welfare and property. This concoction is nothing more than smoke and mirrors and we trust the people will recognize it as such,” said Kaye Fissinger, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Our Longmont.

“Governor Hickenlooper and the oil and gas industry have a serious problem on their hands, it’s called democracy. This bill is their latest move to disenfranchise Colorado citizens on the issue of fracking.  As scientific studies continue to confirm the major health risks of fracking, this bill does nothing to ensure Coloradan’s health and well-being.  It’s a blatant attempt to permanently remove Colorado communities’ right to self-determination on fracking. Jared Polis does not speak for the hundreds of moms, dads, doctors, teachers and everyday citizens who volunteered tirelessly to use the democratic process to pass initiatives in 2012 and 2013 to protect their communities from the dangers of fracking.  If Colorado citizens are unable to participate in determining how our private and public lands are used–to the benefit or detriment of our water, air, soil, and health–do we truly have democracy?” said Russell Mendell, Statewide Director of Frack Free Colorado.

“The Sierra Club stands beside the people of Colorado and the communities where fracking and drilling for oil and gas is destroying lives, polluting the air, and jeopardizing the health and well-being of this generation and generations to come. Governor Hickenlooper must likewise stand up to dirty polluters and say no to any legislation that preempts communities from standing up for their own life and liberty. Coloradans should have the fundamental right to protect their air and water, and not have that right usurped by big oil interests,” said Catherine Collentine, Colorado Dirty Fuels Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club.

“All Coloradans deserve clean air, clean water, and a healthy place to raise their families. Unfortunately the fracking boom has turned the American dream into a nightmare for too many frontline communities.  Environment Colorado is pushing the state and the nation to a truly clean energy future, relying on solar, wind and other renewable sources.  Local communities have the right, and need the power to control whether fracking will happen within their borders, and if it does, where and how. Environment Colorado stands with local communities and will only support policies that give local people real control and real protections for their air and water, their families and their communities,” said Kim Stevens, Campaign Director at Environment Colorado.

“After threatening to sue any community that protects their health, safety and property to ban fracking, Governor Hickenlooper is trying to cut a secret deal to strip communities of an important tool to keep this dangerous, industrial activity away from homes, schools and public parks.  Local communities deserve the right to ban fracking.  We oppose this deal for taking away that right,” said Sam Schabacker, Mountain West Region Organizer for Food and Water Watch.

Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainable. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping shared resources under public control.

Source: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org

 


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