Democrats Celebrate Earth Day By Proposing The Strongest Anti-Fracking Bill In Congress

[babylonsister]

Democrats Celebrate Earth Day By Proposing The Strongest Anti-Fracking Bill In Congress
By: Sarah Jones
Wednesday, April, 22nd, 2015, 12:55 pm


Democrats are making a big deal out of Earth Day this year, attacking the special interests behind the science deniers right where they live.

Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) know how to kick off Earth Day. As members of the Safe Climate Caucus, the Democrats used the day to put forth what they are calling the strongest anti-fracking bill in Congress to date — one which would ban fracking on public lands.

The bill’s purpose is “To ban hydraulic fracturing on land owned by the United States and leased to a third party, and for other purposes.”

The Protect our Public Lands Act, H.R. 1902 prohibits fracking, the use of fracking fluid, and acidization for the extraction of oil and gas on public lands for any lease issued, renewed, or readjusted. The legislation is endorsed by the Food and Water Watch, the American Sustainable Business Council, Environment America, Friends of the Earth, Center for Biological Diversity, Progressive Democrats of America.

“Our public lands are a shared national heritage, and shouldn’t be polluted, destroyed, and fracked to enrich the oil and gas industry,” said Wenonah Hauter in a statement provided by Pocan’s office. Hauter is the Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. He further pointed out that President Obama is speaking in the Everglades today, one of many treasured places threatened by fracking, “Ironically, the President is speaking in the Everglades today, a unique and fragile ecosystem that is threatened by nearby fracking on public land. Congress must follow Congressman Pocan and Congresswoman Schakowsky’s bold leadership and ban fracking on these lands, so that future generations can enjoy these special places.”

Rep. Pocan made the common sense suggestion that we stop fracking until we understand the effects (this should be a DUH but sadly with oil and gas interests running the country, it is not). ”Until we fully understand the effects, the only way to avoid these risks is to halt fracking entirely. We should not allow short-term economic gain to harm our public lands, damage our communities or endanger workers.”

Pecan’s statement cited mounting evidence that fracking is harmful:

Mounting evidence shows that fracking threatens our air, water and public health. To make matters worse, reports have shown that existing fracking wells on public lands aren’t being adequately inspected, creating even more potential for disastrous accidents. Right now, about 90 percent of federally managed lands are available for oil and gas leasing, while only 10 percent are reserved for conservation, recreation, wildlife and cultural heritage.

more...

http://www.politicususa.com/2015/04/22/democrats-celebrate-earth-day-attacking-fracking.html

[niyad]

1. and it will get exactly nowhere.

[RiverLover]

2. R & K!

These Democrats give me hope! This is not radical to not want to destroy public lands for corporate profit. Its common sense.



Here's to 2016 and bringing more like them to Washington!!!