TELL CONGRESS: Ban Fracking Now!

Why ban fracking?

Fracking is an extreme method of oil and gas extraction that requires pumping millions of gallons of toxic fluid deep underground to fracture rocks and release oil and natural gas. The process can’t be done safely. The science on the impacts from fracking shows that:

• Fracking pollutes the air we breathe
• Fracking makes our drinking water toxic
• Fracking worsens climate change
• Fracking makes people sick

Fracking companies make exorbitant profits at the expense of local communities, which may be left without safe water. The solution is to ban fracking everywhere and move instead to using renewable energy.

Discover the policies and influence peddling that have led to the growth of the fracking industry and how a growing movement is working to ban fracking in Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment by our executive director, Wenonah Hauter.

The growing anti-fracking movement

Food & Water Watch was the first U.S. national organization to call for a ban on fracking. Since then, we’ve seen the movement for a fracking ban grow exponentially, with bans passed across the United States and around the world.

Our strategy for stopping fracking everywhere in the U.S. involves building momentum at every level:

• Our field organizers work in communities across the country and with local grassroots groups to help them pass measures, such as bans or resolutions, to protect themselves and say no to fracking.
• We organize for bans on the state level, working in partnership with local and statewide organizations. As a founding member of New Yorkers Against Fracking, we worked for years to ban fracking in New York state, and in 2014, we won. We also helped start other statewide coalitions including Californians Against Fracking, Pennsylvanians Against Fracking, Floridians Against Fracking and Coloradans Against Fracking, among others.  We’re working for bans in states across the country, as well as moratoriums as a first step towards a ban.
• We lobby against building new infrastructure that supports the production or the export of natural gas or oil. We mobilize our supporters to fight new pipelines, export facilities and other projects in their communities and to speak out against federal bills and regulations that encourage more fracking.
• We’re working to ban fracking on public lands. We've worked with Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) on the Protect Our Public Lands Act, which will ban fracking on federal lands and protect our national forests and parks from the dangers of fracking.

Ready to stop fracking?

More than 17 million Americans live within one mile of an oil or gas well. Fracking is taking place far too close to homes, schools, playgrounds, churches and hospitals -- threatening the health and safety of people nearby. It’s time for representatives to take action.

More communities are winning victories against fracking every month, and as momentum grows, we’re working towards a future with no fracking in the United States or in countries around the world.

Americans Against Fracking

Food & Water Watch initiated the formation of the Americans Against Fracking coalition, which brings together organizations large and small to call with one voice for a ban on fracking. Learn more and find out how your organization can join the coalition. 

Global Frackdown

Each year, Food & Water Watch spearheads an international day of action, uniting organizations from around the world to call on our leaders to ban fracking everywhere. Learn more about the event and how you can get involved.