[Greens-Media] How fracking for gas poisoned the water: free public meeting Saturday 22 February

[Jamie Parker]

17 February 2014: for immediate release
How fracking for gas poisoned the water: free public meeting

A town in Wyoming now has to have its drinking water trucked in, after the US Environmental Protection Agency found that fracking for shale gas had poisoned the water.

John Fenton, Wyoming farmer and activist, is touring Australia with a warning about the dangers of fracking for unconventional gas. It's a message that resonates strongly with communities across NSW who are campaigning against coal seam gas, which is also classified as unconventional.

Greens MP Jamie Parker will host a free public meeting this Saturday:

When: 4pm Saturday 22 February
Where: Leichhardt Town Hall - cnr Marion & Norton Streets
Who: John Fenton, Wyoming farmer and gas activist

"The Greens worked with the community to protect Sydney from coal seam gas mining, but it is still a real threat to our drinking water and farm lands. NSW should be moving to clean renewable energy, not starting a new era of dirty fossil fuels," Mr Parker said.

"The former NSW Labor government approved coal and coal seam gas exploration licences across NSW. The current Liberal state government is continuing this legacy while failing to investing in renewable energy.

"Evidence of the devastating and long-lasting damage created by these industries continues to grow, and residents are right to unite against them.

"Coal and coal seam gas mining threaten our biodiversity, water resources, and agricultural and sustainable industries.

"We must protect our environment and safeguard it for our children instead of allowing powerful mining companies to exploit our resources and leave a polluted legacy in our water and our soil.

"Communities across NSW are uniting against coal and coal seam gas, to protect the land and environment on which we all depend.

"I'm grateful to these dedicated campaigners, who are doing great working highlighting these damaging industries," Mr Parker said.

The US Environmental Protection Agency found fracking the 200 gas wells in Pavillion, Wyoming, polluted the water. Drinking water is now trucked in by the gas company, while local farmers have to ventilate their houses when they run a bath or have a shower or risk an explosion from the build-up of gas. Some locals have developed major health issues connected with the chemical pollution. The US experience is in shale gas, which along with coal seam gas, is classified as "unconventional".

More information: Alison Martin 0432 941 533

Jamie Parker MP
Member for Balmain
112a Glebe Point Road, Glebe,  NSW 2037
(02) 9660 7586
www.jamieparker.org.au

The office of Jamie Parker MP respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work - the Gadigal and Wangal People of the Eora Nation.
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