To: Jeffrey Ventura, President & Chief Executive Officer, Range Resources Corporation, Matt Pitzarella, Director of Corporate Communications, Range Resources Corporation, Frank M. Semple, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark...
Don’t let energy corporations silence children about fracking!
Take immediate legal action to ensure your company does not include children in any current or future gag orders on fracking. Fracking contributes to groundwater contamination and climate change through leakage of methane, one of the most potent forms of carbon pollution. Any child impacted by fracking should have a right to speak to these issues if he or she chooses.
Why is this important?
Gas companies in Western Pennsylvania want to stop the kids who lost their home because of a nearby fracking operation from telling their story. Ever. As part of the legal settlement over the family's farm, the children were placed under a gag order -- for the rest of their lives.
Any child impacted by fracking should have a right to speak about their experience if he or she chooses. Fracking contributes to groundwater contamination and climate change through methane leakage, one of the most potent forms of carbon pollution.
In 2011, Stephanie and Chris Hallowich reached a settlement with gas companies after a legal fight over the fracking operation next to their farm they said jeopardized their family’s health and quality of life. As part of the settlement, the agreement between the companies and the Hallowich’s was sealed, placing the entire family under a gag order. Now, the children could face serious legal repercussions if they decide to speak out when they are older.
When pressed by the media, Range Resources Corporation told reporters it will not enforce the application of the gag order if the children decide to speak. But, the family's lawyer asserts the gag order, as its currently written, could land the kids in legal trouble if they talk publicly about what happened to them -- or the impacts of fracking -- in the future. In order to protect the kids, all three of the companies involved must take the legal steps necessary to remove the children from the gag order.
Children should not be forced by dirty energy corporations to remain silent about issues that affect their health and well-being.
Thank you for taking action!
Corinne Ball, Climate Parents
Any child impacted by fracking should have a right to speak about their experience if he or she chooses. Fracking contributes to groundwater contamination and climate change through methane leakage, one of the most potent forms of carbon pollution.
In 2011, Stephanie and Chris Hallowich reached a settlement with gas companies after a legal fight over the fracking operation next to their farm they said jeopardized their family’s health and quality of life. As part of the settlement, the agreement between the companies and the Hallowich’s was sealed, placing the entire family under a gag order. Now, the children could face serious legal repercussions if they decide to speak out when they are older.
When pressed by the media, Range Resources Corporation told reporters it will not enforce the application of the gag order if the children decide to speak. But, the family's lawyer asserts the gag order, as its currently written, could land the kids in legal trouble if they talk publicly about what happened to them -- or the impacts of fracking -- in the future. In order to protect the kids, all three of the companies involved must take the legal steps necessary to remove the children from the gag order.
Children should not be forced by dirty energy corporations to remain silent about issues that affect their health and well-being.
Thank you for taking action!
Corinne Ball, Climate Parents