Title
Resolution Calling for Hydraulic Fracturing Moratorium and Strengthened Regulations
Body
WHEREAS, the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas and oil involves the use of chemicals and hazardous materials during construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, gas production and delivery, well maintenance, and work over operations; and
WHEREAS, many of the chemical constituents injected during hydraulic fracturing have documented adverse health effects and/or adverse environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, wastewater from fracking can contain radioactive elements and has been discharged into rivers that supply drinking water for millions,
WHEREAS, the pollution of water caused by fracking threatens the long term economic well being of communities, as businesses and consumers depend on clean drinking water; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, as part of the federal Energy Policy Act and over objections of health care, scientific, environmental, and conservation communities, regulation of hydraulic fracturing fluids under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the Environmental Protection Agency was exempted, thereby allowing oil and gas companies to use these substances without federal oversight or standards; and
WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry is not required by federal law to publicly disclose chemical formulas of hydraulic fracturing fluids so that this information is publicly available for health and safety purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ann Arbor’s Climate Action Plan calls the City to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050;
WHEREAS, protection of Ann Arbor’s water supplies and resources is better accomplished by prevention of contamination and environmental degradation, rather than attempting to cleaning up contamination and restoring degraded environments after the fact;
WHEREAS, the City of Ann Arbor already prohibits “locating, sinking, drilling, casing, deepening or operating of oil wells, gas wells, and oil and gas wells and test holes for the l...
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