Fracking is a dangerous, rapidly spreading oil and gas extraction technique that endangers our state's water, air, climate and public health. Despite the grave risks, California doesn't require oil and gas companies to report when or where they are fracking wells -- or what toxic chemicals they use.
California already has serious water shortages and pollution problems; fracking will only worsen these grave threats to public health. The pollution and industrial development associated with the technology threaten key wildlife habitats as well as our agricultural industry. And fracking will greatly undermine California's efforts to address the climate crisis.
But that could change with current legislation in the Assembly: A.B. 1301 would put a moratorium on fracking our state.
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee will discuss A.B. 1301 on April 29. Please take action and tell the committee and your legislators to protect California from a fracking disaster by supporting A.B. 1301.
Dear
[Your Legislator Here],
I strongly support A.B. 1301, which would provide much-needed protection to the public against hydraulic fracturing.
Fracking is currently expanding in our state in the absence of any adequate state or federal oversight, posing grave risks to our air, water, wildlife, climate and communities. A.B. 1301 would prohibit fracking until the legislature enacts subsequent legislation that determines whether and under what conditions fracking may be conducted while protecting the public health and safety and natural resources of the state. A.B. 1301 is a sensible, urgently needed response to the dangerous and currently uncontrolled expansion of fracking in California.
Fracking is currently widespread in this state and is slated for massive expansion in many areas. Nationally, fracking, drilling and the resulting toxic wastewater have an extensive track record of spills, accidents, leaks, pollution and property damage.
California already has serious water shortages and pollution problems, and fracking will only worsen these grave threats to public health. The pollution and intense industrial development associated with fracking also threaten key wildlife habitats and our agricultural industry.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
Finally, I am concerned that fracking will greatly undermine our ability to deal with our climate crisis and Californian's demonstrated commitment to addressing this critical issue. Fracking is linked to major emissions of methane -- a dangerously potent greenhouse gas. Fracking in California will allow oil companies to exploit billions of barrels of unconventional shale oil when we actually need policies to reduce demand for oil and speed the transition to a clean energy future.
Other states, including New York, New Jersey and Vermont, have enacted bans or moratoriums on fracking to avoid the environmental and community devastation it brings. California should do the same.
Thank you for your leadership in this important effort to protect Californians from the dangers of fracking. I strongly support A.B. 1301. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
