COLUMBUS -- Over 1,000 "fracktivists" will descend on Columbus this weekend for "Don't Frack OH," the largest protest against fracking in US history. The weekend will end in a people's assembly in the Ohio statehouse that will "pass" legislation to stop fracking in the state.
What: Don't Frack OH, a three-day activist summit and action in Columbus. Who: Josh Fox, director of the Oscar-nominated film Gasland; Bill McKibben, a leading environmentalist, author and founder of 350.org; and over one thousand concerned citizens.
Endorsing organizations include: ProgressOhio, Ohio Student Environmental Coalition, Center for Health, Environment and Justice, President, for Network for Oil and Gas Accountability and Protection, Fracking Coordinator Buckeye Forest Council, Ohio Alliance for People and Environment, Ohio Fracktion, Athens County Fracking Action Group, 350.org Action Fund
When: June 15-17, and culminating in a people's assembly in the Ohio statehouse that will "pass" legislation to stop fracking in the state.
Why: Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is an increasingly controversial method of drilling for natural gas that has concerned citizens lining up to oppose its spread in the Buckeye state.
In May, Gov. Kasich's energy bill sailed through the Ohio General Assembly, opening vast areas for fracking. The bill allows fracking companies to claim trade secrets to hide chemicals used in the fracking process; gags physicians from disclosing the chemical composition of treated water; doesn't go far enough on water testing; and doesn't address the serious climate impact associated with fracking.
Chesapeake and the Oil and Gas Association greased the wheels to push SB 315 through. Contributions from them in the past several years to the Ohio General Assembly and Governor Kasich topped a million dollars, ensuring their voices were louder than that of the people of Ohio.
A full schedule of events is available at http://www.dontfrackoh.org/schedule/
