Tonight, Jan. 13, Asheville City Council adopted a resolution calling on North Carolina legislators to reinstate a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking,” a technique for drilling for natural gas and oil in shale deposits). The Buncombe County-based group WNC Frack Free released this statement on the action:
Asheville City Council passes resolution opposing fracking
On January 13th, Asheville City Council passed a resolution opposing fracking, joining a growing list of Western North Carolina towns and counties, including Sylva, Weaverville, Marshall, Swain County, Jackson County and Haywood County. With the passing of this resolution, Asheville has joined the statewide effort to keep NC frack-free, to protect its natural resources, citizens, public health and property rights.
While Asheville is not likely to be threatened directly by fracking, it could face statewide and regional impacts, from air and water pollution, to impacts on roads and tourism. Parts of Western North Carolina have been targeted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for natural gas exploration, and citizens across the region are concerned about the implications from fracking in western NC, as well as throughout the state.
“I am so thankful that Asheville NC is joining other communities in WNC and across the state to stand firm and protect our people and natural treasures,” said Judy Rhodes, eleventh generation Buncombe County resident and member of WNC Frack Free.
“While this is a step in the right direction, we’d like to see continued support and efforts to keep all of NC frack free. A great next step would be the creation of strong ordinances to protect our community, and bringing in clean, sustainable energy sources in lieu of fracking.” said Sabrina DiCarlo, Asheville City Resident and member of WNC Frack Free.
The multitude of anti-fracking resolutions and public outcry against fracking is clearly demonstrating that the people of North Carolina do not want fracking anywhere in the state.
“Continued involvement by concerned citizens will be essential in our efforts to keep NC frack free,” said Shawna Gilmore, volunteer coordinator for WNC Frack Free. Shawna also encourages people who are interested in getting involved or volunteering to go to www.facebook.com/wncfrackfree or email wncfrackfree@gmail.com.
“WNC Frack Free” is a local group of community volunteers, working in Buncombe County to keep the state of NC free from fracking. They are also a member of the statewide FrackFreeNC network of grassroots organizations who believe that shale gas development using “fracking” and horizontal drilling cannot be done without bringing harm to our waters, land, air, communities and public health.
For more information on WNC Frack Free, go to www.facebook.com/wncfrackfree.
For more information about the Frack Free NC Alliance, go to. http://frackfreenc.org.
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