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Visit NRDC’s Action Center at www.nrdc.org/action |
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Tell Congress to close the “Halliburton Loophole” to protect drinking water from contamination
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Hydraulic fracturing is an oil and gas production technique that involves the injection of fluids, often containing toxic chemicals, into oil or gas wells at very high pressure.
Although the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates most forms of underground injection in order to protect drinking water sources, in 2005 Congress passed the “Halliburton Loophole,” which exempts hydraulic fracturing from the law’s reach (the exemption was given that name because Halliburton is one of the companies that provide hydraulic fracturing services). Since the exemption was enacted, hydraulic fracturing operations have been linked to contaminated drinking water in communities around the country.
Legislation to repeal the exemption has recently been introduced in both the House and Senate. Among other things, the legislation would require public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
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And while you’re at it, click on over and let’s take back the Clean Water Act too.
Click here to sign the petition.
For three decades, the meaning of the Clean Water Act was as clear as a hill-country stream. Every single lake, river, stream and wetland in Texas, big and small, was protected by federal law.
Then, in a controversial decision, a bitterly divided Supreme Court exempted small streams and many wetlands from the law. The effect? In Texas, the law now leaves 75 percent of our streams open to more pollution and development, putting the drinking water for more than 7 million Texans at risk. That’s disturbing news. As we know, when it comes to our environment, whatever goes around comes around — if we allow polluters and developers free rein over smaller streams and wetlands, it’s only a matter of time before the effects extend downstream.
The Bush administration only made things worse. Under Barack Obama, we finally have a chance to make things right.
That’s why, with Capitol Hill hearings coming up, it’s critical that our congressional delegation — especially Reps. Johnson, Olson and Ortiz, who sit on the committee that will hold the hearings — know that you, and thousands of others who care about our waters, are on our side. Show them your support for full protection for all of our waters by signing this petition now.
http://www.environmenttexas.
It’s time to restore all of Texas’ waters to health. Thanks for making it possible.
Luke Metzger
Environment Texas Director
action@environmenttexas.org
http://www.environmenttexas.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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"Hi:
Two things
1) I’d like your permission to (re)print your article on Frontline for our website
2) I was hoping we could use your ‘scribing’ talent for our website.
The Best Shows Youre Not Watching (dot) com [all one word]
Frontline is one of our featured shows. We’re hoping to round up a few people who can occasionally contribute perspective (via an article/blog) on the shows – maybe a recent episode, future direction, plot shortcomings etc.
What’s in it for you?
Primarily a larger audience back channeled to your blog. We don’t pay but the site has a lot of promise and we're pretty excited about getting it off the ground. Let me know what you think.
Thanks