Tell Gov. O’Malley: Protect our health from fracking

Fracking is a heavy industrial practice that involves injecting water, sand and toxic chemicals underground to fracture subsurface rock for the extraction of shale gas.* In states where fracking has expanded rapidly, hazardous spills and leaks are common. The process is also known to contaminate water supplies and increase air pollution.

Late last month, a report released by Gov O’Malley’s administration recommended a set of regulations for fracking.** The report's 52 recommended steps for minimizing potential health risks fail to address all of the safety concerns raised in the report.

The O'Malley Administration has already taken an important and brave step that addresses safety concerns by placing a moratorium on fracking in Maryland. If we can get enough public support, we can convince him to ban fracking in Maryland for good.

In every state where fracking is taking place, it endangers nearby communities, despite attempts to make fracking safe through regulations. Governor O’Malley must protect our health by keeping Maryland’s moratorium on fracking in place. Therefore, we the undersigned urge Gov O’Malley to uphold the moratorium that bans fracking and to not endorse any regulations that would put Maryland’s residents in danger while lining the pockets of the fracking industry.

Sources
1. Ryan Marshall, "Draft of fracking report draws both sides’ questions," Southern Maryland News, 7/5/14 http://www.somdnews.com/article/20130705/NEWS/130709533/1055/draft-of-fracking-report-draws-both-sides-x2019-questions&template=southernMaryland
2. Governor O'Malley Announces Study of Marcellus Shale Drilling, State of Maryland 6/7/14
http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/110606.asp