The Only Reasonable Regulation on Oil and Gas is to Ban Fracking

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For Immediate Release—April 16, 2019

Contact: Julie Light, 510-992-4083, [email protected]

Gov. Jared Polis today signed legislation that would close some loopholes on oil and gas regulation and allow a measure of local control over drilling operations. While the sponsors of SB 181 say the new law is intended to protect public health, industry won some concessions in the final legislation. Most notably, the law says local regulation must be “necessary and reasonable,” making court challenges by oil and gas companies likely. Some advocates fear that the threat of legal challenges will dissuade local governments from acting.

In response to the new legislation, Food & Water Watch Regional Organizer Jason Harrison had this statement.

“The new law gives local communities some important tools to challenge harmful drilling in their backyards, but the only reasonable oil and gas regulation is to ban fracking. Food & Water Watch will continue to support families in the fight to protect their health and neighborhoods from oil and gas operations, while we push for a ban on fracking in Colorado.”

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Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.