Call for fracking moratorium

A number of people, including at least one West Virginia delegate, are calling for a moratorium on fracking in the state. Here's a suggestion from the West Virginia Surface Owners Rights Organization:

Ask Governor Tomblin to Regulate Gas Drilling, or Stop Issuing New Drilling Permits!

After 60 days, legislators failed to pass legislation to regulate Marcellus Shale drilling. It’s time to call on Acting Governor Tomblin to stop issuing new drilling permits until the industry is properly regulated. We do not believe that the DEP should be issuing more new permits than it can review, inspect and enforce. Our drilling laws have not been updated in nearly 40 years.

There are only 17 inspectors for 59,000 active gas wells. Also there are 6,000 inactive conventional wells out there now that need to be plugged before the well owners go out of business. We have had at least three major well fires and explosions in the past 18 months.

The current system isn’t working! We need a special session to address the environmental and other concerns related to Marcellus Shale and other gas well drilling.

Please call, e-mail or write Governor Tomblin, and send a copy to Acting Senate President Kessler and House Speaker Thompson, saying:

Dear Governor Tomblin:

I am disappointed that the Legislature was unable to reach any agreement on legislation to regulate Marcellus Shale gas drilling. It is important that you stop issuing new permits until regulations are in place to protect property owners and the enviromment, and to ensure proper enforcement and inspector staffing. It is unacceptable that West Virginians were not heard during the 2011 Legislative Session asking for protection from destructive gas drilling that is happening all over the state. Please call a special session to address environmental and other concerns related to Marcellus Shale and other gas well drilling.

You can contact Governor Tomblin at:
Phone: (304) 558-2000
E-Mail: governor@wv.gov
OR
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
State Capitol Building
11900 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston WV 25305

You can contact Senate President Kessler at:
Phone: (304) 357-7801
E-Mail: jeff.kessler@wvsenate.gov
OR
Senator Jeff Kessler
Room 227M, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston WV 25305

You can contact House Speaker Rick Thompson at:
Phone: (304) 340-3210
E-mail: Speaker.Thompson@frontier.com
OR
Delegate Rick Thompson
Room 228M, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston WV 25305

--Julie Archer
WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization
1500 Dixie Street
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 346-5891(304) 346-8981 FAX
www.wvsoro.org