FW: Fracking Letter

[SANDRA KNAUF]

Hello friends, 

I very rarely forward anything to my email list (except Neighborhood Watch notices) but this issue concerns us all and our quality of life in Colorado Springs. Many of you do not know a lot about fracking--I didn't until this year. Well, it's here. The following letter, from a group who is involved in getting the truth out about fracking, explains the situation in Colorado Springs in easy-to-understand terms. It has all been thoroughly researched and research continues.

I hope you will take the time to read the attached letter and share it with friends who have made this beautiful area their home. Remember, it was grassroots Colorado Springs that saved Red Rock Canyon from development. This is in the same category, but with far more serious repercussions.

There are many alternatives to the dirty fuels, but the citizens, meaning us, have to get behind these alternate sources. Otherwise our quality of life decisions and our future is determined by companies that will "take the money and run" and we will be left with the problems to pay for - economically, socially, physically.

Thank you for your time.

Sandy

Sandra Knauf
Editor and Publisher, Greenwoman Magazine
http://www.greenwomanmagazine.com
http://www.florasforum.com

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Friends,

Things are getting serious here in the Springs. The City Council is voting (11/27) on a set of "regulations" for oil and gas in our city which were, for all intensive purposes, "co-authored" by the oil and gas commission. Can you say "conflict of interest"? 

 

These regs include; Voluntary water sampling!, Voluntary air sampling!, and No "teeth" or repercussions for contamination! Because, remember, under The Halliburton Loophole, oil and gas is NOT liable for groundwater contamination. No other industry would be allowed to back up to a hole in the ground and dump toxic chemicals into it. Why is our State and Federal government allowing this industry to do something that no other industry is allowed to do? $$$$$$ Money, Money, Money! 

 

You might not think this affects you but it does and it will.

Your health, the health of your children, and your grandchildren is at stake here. 

 

Fracking is not just something "way out East at Banning Lewis Ranch". Once oil and gas is in, they are IN and it's coming this way! The next areas being looked at are Flying Horse Ranch, Spring Creek, UCCS campus, and many other areas around town that meet the acreage criteria. 

 

You probably do not own the sub surface mineral rights below your property (only a tiny % of landowners do) and the well pads for these giant rigs only have to be 350 feet from your from your front door. Watch a trailer for Split Estate on You Tube to see the realities of this situation. 

 

 Remember that each of these wells DESTROYS 5 million gallons of water per frack. This water, laced with toxic and cancer causing chemicals, is unusable for any living thing once it comes out. Where do they dump it? Where is it stored? Where is "away" when they (oil and gas) take it "away"? These are important questions to ask.

 

Ultra Resources, the company that was given a permit for at Banning Lewis Ranch for two pads (which can include up to 40 wells on this site) , had over 200 violations in the last FIVE years! Now, they will be coming to OUR town. There are currently 48,000 active wells in Colorado and 1000's more are coming. There are only 13 inspectors now for the entire state and, by their own records, 67% of the wells never were looked at in 2011 (the last time they published a report and, at that time, they had 17 inspectors)!  More wells are being drilled every day but number of inspectors is going down.

 

Did you know that a Suncor drilling operation is currently leaking benzene contaminated water into the South Platte at a rate of 3000 gallons PER MINUTE? It's been leaking since February 2011 (yes, that says 11, not 12) and, while this is leaking, Suncor and Denver Metro are squabbling over who will clean it up.

 

This isn't an isolated incident. Water resources around our State are being threatened by this filthy and pathetically regulated industry.

 

Please show your support for anti-fracking by attending some or all of the following important events to become educated on the subject. And please help spread the word. For those of you that say "it's hopeless and a done deal", have faith! 

 

The City of Longmont's YES ON 300 passed last Tuesday, miraculously (against all odds and a million dollars worth of opposition from oil and gas), and we can accomplish a similar goal here in the Springs with increased support from our community. 

 

 

Our air quality, soil quality, views, and our safe and abundant drinking water is at stake. 

 

Write an email to city council at allco...@springsgov.com to let them know how you feel about this important issue.

 

Important Dates:

*November 14th - Armstrong Hall at C.C. - Josh Fox speaking (Director of Gasland) - 7:00 p.m. FREE (I changed the date--it did read 6 p.m.)

*November 27th - City Hall Council Meeting - Voting on regulations - Noon (rally on the corner) and 1:00 p.m. City Council Meeting - FREE

*December 8th - Armstrong Hall #300-Max Kade Theatre - The Truth about Fracking Film Fest 1-5 p.m. FREE

*January 8th - Wes Wilson (EPA "whistleblower" featured in the Gasland movie) and Phil Doe, of Be The Change, Presentation on Fracking - 6:30 p.m. at 

Old Town Bike Shop -Trying to get standing room only at this one! Please come!!! It's FREE!