Democratic Establishment Feeling the Heat on Fracking

WASHINGTON - “Last night’s Democratic debate, like the previous debate, is a testament to the growing political power of the movement to ban fracking, keep fossil fuels in the ground, and move swiftly to clean energy.

“As the first national advocacy organization to join the grassroots groups and communities around the country calling for a ban on fracking, we at Food & Water Watch are pleased at all of the gains that have been made over the past five years, which is only possible thanks to activists taking strong, uncompromising positions.

“Five years ago, people said a fracking ban would not happen in New York. Thanks to all the people who weren’t afraid to target the Democratic establishment in the state, not only has fracking been banned there—momentum elsewhere continues. Now, Governor Brown is feeling the pressure in California to ban fracking, and the Democratic Party is finally having an honest debate about the issue in the debates.

“The pressure on our officials to stand up with the science on climate change will only continue to ramp up. A recent poll shows the majority of Americans are opposed to fracking. Referring to natural gas as a bridge fuel is no longer a defensible position, given the devastating effects of methane on our climate. The March for a Clean Energy Revolution at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July will double down on the pressure our leaders are facing to take decisive action on climate change.”

Wenonah Hauter is author of the upcoming book Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment (June 2016), which looks at the policies and influence peddling that have favored widespread fracking over truly clean energy, and the growing movement to ban fracking and keep fossil fuels in the ground.