Tell CA Governor to Ban Fracking in Face of Worst Drought in 50 Years
- by: Susan V
- recipient: California Governor Jerry Brown
California is suffering a severe drought that’s forcing citizens to cut their water use. So why would the state allow hydraulic fracturing that consumes and contaminates massive amounts of water?
While hundreds protested outside the Capitol building during Governor Brown’s State of the State speech this week, a number of advocacy groups weighed in on the issue, demanding he put a stop to fracking. While Brown spoke on climate change and water conservation, a three-story banner called him on his hypocrisy, with the message, “Climate Leaders Don’t Frack.”
Along with environmentalists voicing their concerns, are advocates noting how low-income families, farmers and ranchers are the ones most affected by both fracking and the drought.
In fact over 200,000 Californians from all walks of life have signed their names urging Brown to ban fracking.
Food and Water Watch California warns that unless Governor Brown complies, it won’t be his “green talk” that will define him. It will be his mismanagement of the people‘s water supply. Tell Governor Brown to ban fracking!
We, the undersigned, support Californians’ call for a ban on fracking.
The reality of record dry temperatures and wildfires across the state should be a warning sign that fracking is the last thing California needs, especially during this crisis.
Fracking uses large volumes of pressurized water mixed with highly toxic chemicals to crack open rock formations and release oil and gas, and during this process large amounts of the green house gas, methane, are released.
But instead of protecting the state against further threats to the environment, state officials are proposing new rules that will roll out the welcome mat to frackers. Just over a week ago the EPA had to step in and insist that oil and gas operations off California’s coast start disclosing chemicals they discharge into the ocean, because the operations were being carried out with little or no oversight and with no separate analysis of effects of fracking chemicals on the sea environment.
Opponents say Brown’s pro-environment speeches belie his unwillingness to take meaningful action to stand up against the threats of fracking or mitigate the drought.
It is entirely hypocritical for Governor Brown to present himself as a climate leader, while supporting an industry that contributes to global warming and drought and other adverse effects on the environment. And it is unfair of him to ask individual citizens to sacrifice and ration water, unless he’s willing to oppose an industry that would use and contaminate massive volumes of water.
We request that Governor Brown back up his “green talk” with action and support a ban on fracking in California.
Thanks for your time.
