12 April 2012

Frack-free Christchurch leads the way

Today’s unanimous vote by Christchurch City Council to declare the city a fracking-free zone is significant and shows momentum is building against this dangerous drilling technique, Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.

Fracking is a drilling technique that involves injecting chemicals into rocks to fracture them in an attempt to release oil and gas.

“We could be seeing something like the nuclear-free movement which swept through New Zealand happening here,” said Mr Hughes.

“If the Government won't act, then towns and cities across New Zealand going frack-free will send a strong message to central Government.

“The Government should listen to the people of Christchurch and declare a moratorium immediately on any new fracking wells,” said Mr Hughes.

“This moratorium should last until the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment finishes an investigation into fracking and can assure New Zealanders the process is safe.

“New Zealand is on the cusp of a massive expansion of fracking and it would be prudent to wait until the Commissioner’s investigation is complete before allowing mining companies to proceed with the controversial drilling process.

“It’s understandable Cantabrians are concerned in particular with the links between fracking and human-induced earthquakes,” said Mr Hughes.

A new report by the US Geological Survey this week says that the increased seismic activity taking place in certain areas of the United States is almost certainly the result of oil and gas drilling activities.

Link: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?faqID=350

ENDS

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