It looks like Democratic Governor Beverly Perdue has "flip-flopped" on fracking. And conservatives are applauding, says Raleigh's Independent Weekly.
Last summer after the NC Senate approved a bill meant to open up oil and gas exploration in the state, Perdue vetoed it. But last week, after a "secret" visit to Pennsylvania, she reversed her position and now says fracking can be safe and profitable. Profitable for whom?
Even before the state began playing politics with the fracking issue, towns like Creedmoor and Cary passed or considered passing ordinances to ban the drilling, at least within city limits. They and others are concerned mostly about water contamination.
If you agree with Food and Water Watch and many others that "Fracking threatens the air we breathe, the water we drink, the communities we love and the climate on which we depend," then Tell Governor Perdue You Don't Want Fracking in N.C.
We, the undersigned, do not believe that something called "safe" fracking exists.
We do not believe you can force toxic chemicals into the ground or transport tons of these deadly toxins to fracking sites, without creating chemical exposures that are harmful to people, wildlife and the environment.
There is further concern about the proximity of proposed fracking sites to the Shearon Harris nuclear plant, located near one of the state's highest population centers.
We believe in the precautionary principle and that the state must prove the methods and effects of fracking are safe before implementing this very controversial method of gas extraction, because the effects will likely be irreversible, as well as deadly.
We believe claims that fracking can be done safely in North Carolina are untrue, and we know that fracking has been proven to pollute water and harm animals and communities in places where it is allowed.
We ask you to support instead the number of alternative approaches to energy production already being explored and implemented in the state, and stop claiming, without proof, that fracking is or can be safe.
Thank you for you attention to this serious matter.
