News Release/For immediate release 2-7-13 Written & Submitted by Annette McMichael, SAFE Media Coordinator am@greenmediaservice.com/217-273-1000 ICMF Contact, Dr. Lora Chamberlain, drlora2@yahoo.com/773-486-7660
New Fracking Moratorium Bill Announced
The Illinois Coalition for a Moratorium on Fracking (ICMF), with member groups including SAFE (Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment), is pleased to announce the introduction of Bill SB1418 into the Illinois General Assembly today. The bill promotes a moratorium on the controversial drilling process of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Illinois. The moratorium will allow two years for a science-based investigative task force to look at current and ongoing studies on fracking. Critical studies regarding health effects from proximity to high-volume fracturing will be one key area of study.
Bill SB1418 can be found at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=85&GA=98&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=1418&GAID=12&LegID=72003&SpecSess=&Session
As new research continues to uncover more harmful effects of high-volume fracturing, both in the surrounding area and to the climate, ICMF, SAFE, and many other environmental organizations are committed to supporting studies on the procedure.
Members of ICMF also include: MoveOn.org Illinois, PDA Chicago and Illinois, SE Environmental Task Force, CAPA (Chicago Area Peace Action), CAPOW! (Citizens Act to Protect Our Water), Stop the Frack Attack on IL, Rising Tide, RAN Chicago, and the Chicago Chapter of World Can’t Wait.
According to SAFE attorney, Penni Livingston “At this time, a moratorium on all fracking activity is needed to ensure that the dangers of fracking are properly identified and prevented. A Task Force of state and local organizational, governmental, environmental and industrial stakeholders is needed to investigate and determine environmental and economic issues and to make recommendations on technological and environmental standards. It is wise to take time to study this issue.”