Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities anti-fracking resolution and related article from the Truro Daily News: FRACKING District of West Hants WHEREAS hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas and other fossil fuels often involves the injection of hundreds of toxic chemicals into the ground; and WHEREAS hydraulic fracturing uses massive amounts of water, as much as millions of litres per fracking “job”; and WHEREAS there have been more than 1,000 documented cases of water contamination near fracking sites in the U.S. and some people, such as in Rosebud, Alberta, have well water that now contains so much natural gas they can light their drinking water on fire; and WHEREAS the pollution of water caused by fracking may threaten the long-term economic, social and ecological well-being of communities that depend on clean water sources to meet their basic needs; and WHEREAS the treatment of fracking wastewater may strain municipal wastewater systems and puts water sources at risk since wastewater treatment systems may not be capable of removing endocrine disruptors and other toxic chemicals from fracking wastewater; and WHEREAS more study is needed on the impact of hydraulic fracturing on localized air pollution which can have adverse health effects; and WHEREAS while the industry claims that natural gas is a cleaner fuel, some independent studies have shown that hydraulic fracturing creates more lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than mining and burning coal and clearly more scientific study is needed; and WHEREAS water and air are shared commons and public trusts and as such require genuine public consultation and a process that enables communities to be a part of the decision making process; and WHEREAS on September 23, 2011, the UN Human Rights Council passed Resolution A/HRC/18/L.1 affirming the human right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation and as such contamination of drinking water by fracking fluids is a violation of this and other human rights; 2013 Resolutions 27 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UNSM support a province-wide moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until provincial and federal reviews have been completed that include extensive public consultation and full consideration of the potential human and environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the UNSM also call for dialogue between First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that extensive public consultation and full consideration be given for protocols and procedures to address fracking water and the eventual disposal of this byproduct through wastewater treatment plant facilities. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Committee recommends this resolution. Nova Scotia municipalities add momentum to push for fracking moratorium Harry Sullivan Published on November 08, 2013
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 23:17:28 +0000