Anti-Fracking Petitions Proliferate in PA and Around the World
There are tons of anti-fracking petitions floating around these days. A few years ago, it would have been a challenge to find one, but now they’re like fish in a barrel. Some have gained heavy traction, like PennEnvironment’s “Protect Pennsylvania from Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling” which has more than 35,000 signatures, yet lawmakers of both parties regularly remark that they tend to pay “internet petitions” scant notice.
“Nobody pays attention to them,” confirmed State Senator Daylin Leach [D-17th] at an informal discussion on gas drilling issues hosted by PennEnvironment in Upper Merion earlier this year. I guess I already kinda knew that but I’m optimistic by nature and, after all, it’s only a few clicks, right? If nothing else, I’ll lend a little moral support to the petitioners? Leach recommends letters and petitions on paper, and calling on your legislators.
Still, maybe lawmakers ought to at least take note of the sheer number of online anti-fracking petitions. If nothing else, it’s an indication that the public is trying to tell them something. There are way more petitions than I could possibly list here, of course that didn’t stop me from trying! Please let me know if I missed yours.
Say No To Shale Gas! Current Petitions:
Upgrade The Delaware River to Exceptional Value Status (Delaware Riverkeeper Network)
Protect the Susquehanna River Basin (Protecting Our Waters)
No New Permits – A Moratorium for Pennsylvania (Pennsylvanians for Clean Land, Air and Water)
Tell Governor Corbett to Provide Water for Fracking Victims (Water Defense)
Tell Congress to Ban Fracking Now! (Food and Water Watch)
Tell State Legislators to Ban Fracking Now! (Food and Water Watch)
Save the Clean Water Act from Attack by Gas Drillers (Sierra/PA)
Stop Fracking in Bucks County PA and Repeal Act 13! (Concerned Bucks County Pa Family)