To: Governor J.B. Pritzker
Gov. Quinn, Don't Frack Us!
Gov. Quinn: don't frack us! Say "no" to unenforceable, inadequate fracking regulations. HB2615 will not protect Illinois. The deceptive fracking industry will probably work around many of the regulations when they encounter the feeble enforcement in this state. There are only 12 regulators at the IDNR to oversee thousands of dangerous fracking wells, so enforcement will be next to impossible.
And HB2615 has too many gaping holes in it to protect Illinois: No local control, no limits on or prioritization of the use of our precious water, no real air pollution protections, no worker safety. Seismic activity is not even considered, the toxic flowback from the wells will not be handled as hazardous waste, and the setbacks still put our children and families at risk. HB2615 will not protect us from spills, blowouts, water contamination, health effects or possibly even earthquakes.
New York State is extending their 5-year moratorium for another 2 years in order to study the dangerous effects of fracking. Illinois residents deserve that same kind of due diligence by their lawmakers and the government. We deserve a moratorium on fracking and an investigative task force, HB3086 and SB1418.
Let's not frack our way into a worsening climate crisis. Let's invest in our clean, green, energy future instead of fracking our farmland!
And HB2615 has too many gaping holes in it to protect Illinois: No local control, no limits on or prioritization of the use of our precious water, no real air pollution protections, no worker safety. Seismic activity is not even considered, the toxic flowback from the wells will not be handled as hazardous waste, and the setbacks still put our children and families at risk. HB2615 will not protect us from spills, blowouts, water contamination, health effects or possibly even earthquakes.
New York State is extending their 5-year moratorium for another 2 years in order to study the dangerous effects of fracking. Illinois residents deserve that same kind of due diligence by their lawmakers and the government. We deserve a moratorium on fracking and an investigative task force, HB3086 and SB1418.
Let's not frack our way into a worsening climate crisis. Let's invest in our clean, green, energy future instead of fracking our farmland!
Why is this important?
Gov. Quinn should say "no" to the unenforceable, inadequate fracking regulations in HB2615. The oil and gas industry has a very long history of cutting corners and skimping on safety. Regulations are worthless if they are not enforced. HB2615 has too many gaping holes in it to protect Illinois. The safety of Illinoisans is as important as that of New Yorkers: we deserve a moratorium on fracking and an investigative task force just like New York has enacted! Gov. Quinn should say "no" to unenforceable regulations and "yes" to a moratorium on fracking, HB3086, and SB1418!