Washington, Va.—Virginia Organizing Chairperson Sandra A. Cook released the following statement in response to the Washington County Planning Commission’s decision to rush passage of an ordinance allowing drilling companies to use hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract natural gas in the county:

 

“For four years, Virginia Organizing and directly affected community leaders have been working to make sure that property owners and residents of Washington County would be protected from the harmful effects of natural gas drilling. On Monday, June 23, the Planning Commission, for whatever reason, opted to ignore the concerns of local citizens and quickly moved forward on passing an ordinance to allow drilling.

 

“The Planning Commission decision raises questions that should be answered. What was the rush? Why could they not wait for the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to complete revisions on energy regulations? What about the very real concerns of local landowners and residents regarding their property values, water protection, and road usage? Why is the Planning Commission ignoring the will of the constituents?

 

“The only thing clear about this vote is that it leaves more questions than answers. Virginia Organizing calls on the Board of Supervisors to slow down and examine all the repercussions of the potential fracking before they make a decision to move forward.”

 

To interview a Virginia Organizing spokesperson, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.