Rally Against Colorado Springs Plans to ‘Frack’ Pikes Peak Region

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - March 11, 2013 - PRLog -- This Tuesday between noon and 1 p.m., a coalition of social and environmental groups will rally on the front steps of the Colorado Springs City Hall in opposition to city council plans to legalize hydraulic fracturing within city limits. At 1 p.m., the City Council plans to vote on the ordinance in question.

In support of this event, says Bill McKibben of 350.org, “We know [fracking] is a dangerous technology—dangerous close to home, and dangerous to the atmosphere. Partly, that's because of leaking methane, a highly toxic gas that contributes to climate change, and partly that's because cheap natural gas undercuts truly clean energy sources like wind.”  

Opponents of fracking in Colorado Springs cite the toxic effects of the entire process, including drilling, fracking, oil and gas extraction, and waste water disposal, on humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife—not simply the ‘fracking’ of rocks [to release oil and gas] by injecting one to five million gallons of water and chemicals deep underground per 'frack.' Each well can be 'fracked' up to eighteen times.

Also cited as reasons for leaving the current city ban on fracking in place are its frequent and extensive spills of  “produced water,”  i.e., highly pressurized water along with carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, biocides, diesel fuel, methane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xyleneto, the venting of high concentrations of methane gas into the atmosphere while oil and gas are extracted, the 6% to 10% of reported well-casing failures that render freshwater from aquifers toxic, and scientific reports concerning the likely migration of fracking’s ‘produced water’  from deep underground to contaminate groundwater and soil within years [contrary to industry claims].

Social objections concerning fracking point to sharply increased incidences of sexual assaults and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) as reported by North Dakota and Pennsylvania residents who believe both may stem from sudden influx of hundreds to thousands of transient workers living in labor camps. Others opposed to fracking abhor its voracious use of water, its negative impact on property values, its reported damage to homes and other structures due to seismic tremors. A concern specific to Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region lies in fracking’s potential effects on tourism, a major industry in an area that’s long been a vacation mecca due to its pristine air and breathtaking views.  

When:   Tuesday, March 12th 12:00 (noon) to 1 p.m.
Where:  107 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Who:    contact, Dave Gardner, 719-576-5565 Dave@growthbusters.org
 Thoughtful Committed Citizens at UCCS
 Colorado Springs Citizens for Community Rights
 Pikes Peak Alliance for the Future
 Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club
 Green Cities Coalition
 350-Colorado Springs