Boss Speaks Up For Fracking
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- Written by Paul Wallem
One the many responsibilities of Gillette City Councilman Everett Boss is to serve on the National League of Cites, (EENR) Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee. Boss used the opportunity recently to voice his opposition to a proposed EENR Resolution regarding the regulation of hydraulic fracturing. Boss said he felt the proposed resolution listed many bullet points as facts, but he feels they are not. Boss cited specifically language referring to seismic danger in relation to fracking. The Gillette Councilman says there is no evidence that seismic activity related to hydraulic fracturing has caused harm either to people or property.
Update: Boss said late this morning that he has heard back from the NLC/EENR Committee and was told the language about earthquakes has been removed.
Boss provided a copy of his letter:
September 17, 2012
Michael Sesma NLC Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee
Chairman Sesma:
I would like to take this opportunity to voice my opposition to Proposed EENR Resolution #2 regarding the regulation of hydraulic fracturing and the protection of municipal water supplies by Mr. Erik Molvar of Laramie, Wyoming. My opposition is based upon several items, including the importance of the natural gas industry to our country, as well as some factual inaccuracies in the proposed resolution.
The Natural Gas Industry is responsible for creating 2.8 million American jobs, and we should not take any action that would further restrict its growth. At a time, when funding for schools and law enforcement is being cut, natural gas has contributed $933 billion to funding federal, state and local government. How would we make up for that lost revenue? Quite simply, we would not be able to and we would find ourselves in a bigger financial hole than we are already in. Unnecessary restrictions will only drive up the cost of energy, and I am positive that the hard working people of this country do not need higher energy prices.
In the proposed resolution, many of the bullet points listed sound as though they are facts when they are not. I am speaking specifically about seismic activity and the potential to harm municipal water supplies. Make no mistake, I am all for the protection of municipal water supplies, but even the Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator, Lisa Jackson, has stated that she is, “not aware of any proven case where the fracking process has effected water.” I do not think we should be proposing resolutions that have omit the facts, and this is clearly an example of that.
Furthermore, in response to the so called seismic danger of fracking, I would argue that the U.S. Geological Survey has clearly stated that there is almost no relationship between hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes, and that there is no evidence that seismic activity related to hydraulic fracturing has caused harm to either people or property. What else needs to be said?
The best thing government can do for the Natural Gas Industry is to stay out of the way, and the proposed resolution is an example of trying to hinder industry’s progress. The hard working men and women in this industry work very hard to provide a valuable natural resource to help power this country. This industry is accountable, responsible and willing to meet the challenge to provide energy. Let’s get out of the way and let them do their job.
Thank you for your time,
Everett Boss Gillette City Council
