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GOP leader calls anti-fracking congressman a terrorist

Define “terror”

GOP leader calls anti-fracking congressman a terrorist

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Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) thinks local communities should be able to decide how fracking is regulated in their areas, and whether it’s allowed at all. He’s among the backers of some initiatives proposed for the November ballot that could increase local control over oil and gas drilling.

And the chair of the Colorado Republican Committee, Ryan Call, says that makes Polis a terrorist. Here’s a screen grab that ColoradoPols.com took of a Twitter exchange before Call deleted the offensive tweet:

ColoradoPols.com

Another Republican, state Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, picked up the theme, saying, “Polis’ jihad against responsible energy development is reckless.”

The Boulder Daily Camera reports that Call apologized for using the T word:

“It’s a fact that Congressman Jared Polis’ proposed regulations will put thousands of Colorado jobs and our state’s economic future at risk,” [Call] said. “While I passionately believe that we must protect these jobs and energy development in our state, I understand that my comment has distracted from this important conversation.” …

On Friday, Polis said his fight for local control over drilling may have to be settled in November’s election, in which his seat also will be on the ballot.

“Fundamentally, what my constituents feel needs to occur is that communities need to have a role in the siting of fracking activities in their areas,” he said. “Currently, that debate is co-opted by the state, which allows fracking to occur anywhere and everywhere.”

What’s really more terrorizing – run-of-the-mill democracy, or energy companies pumping poisons into the ground and the air for short-term financial gain with limited government oversight?


Source
Republicans Cry “Terrorism” As Local Control Negotiations Falter, ColoradoPols.com
Colo. GOP chair labels Jared Polis ‘terrorist’ over Boulder Democrat’s fracking stance, Daily Camera
Untangling Colorado’s Flood of Anti-Fracking Ballot Initiatives, DeSmogBlog

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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GOP leader calls anti-fracking congressman a terrorist

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Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods

Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods

JohnGiez

It can be easier to tell what Colorado’s floods washed away than what they left behind.

More than 60,000 gallons of oil and other petrochemical-laced fluids are now confirmed to have been spilled from fracking operations during recent floods in Colorado — and two congressmembers are calling for a hearing into the toxic eruption.

State oil officials have been doing their best to track oil spills and equipment leaks amid floods that killed eight and destroyed 1,800 homes. In an update published Monday [PDF], the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission said it is tracking 14 “notable” oil spills that released an estimated 44,000 gallons. It is also monitoring 12 leaks of “produced” water —  an estimated 17,000 gallons of water polluted with oil and gas residue from fracking operations.

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, think that’s pretty effing disturbing. They sent a letter [PDF] last week to committee chair Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) asking him to schedule a hearing into the effects of leaks from Colorado’s fracking sector during the floods:

As Congress continues to consider policies to expand domestic oil and gas production, we would benefit from learning more about how disasters like this can impact local communities, states, and federal regulators. We respectfully request that you hold a committee hearing as soon as possible so that we may fully understand the potential grave consequences resulting from this flood.

We believe that the Committee and Congress would benefit from hearing firsthand accounts from local elected officials, the COGCC, EPA response team members, experts in oil and gas technology and innovation, and conservation advocates.

“Congress must deal with this issue to ensure that natural disasters do not also become public health disasters,” Polis said in a statement. “Not only have my constituents been dealing with damage to their homes, schools, and roads, they are increasingly concerned about the toxic spills that have occurred from the flooding of nearly 1,900 fracking wells in Colorado.”

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.Find this article interesting? Donate now to support our work.Read more: Climate & Energy

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Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods

Posted in ALPHA, Anchor, FF, G & F, GE, ONA, solar, solar panels, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods