Illinois Anti-Fracking Groups Mobilize in Springfield

Event Advisory

Contact: Annette McMichael, SAFE Media Coordinator

am@greenmediaservice.com              217-273-1000

3-7-13 Illinois Anti-Fracking Groups Mobilize

What: A week after an industry-backed fracking regulatory bill heads into committee, a coalition of grassroots groups from Southern, Central and Northern Illinois will gather in Springfield calling for a moratorium on fracking. These groups are critical of the severe inadequacies in the current pro-industry bill presented by Representative John Bradley, Bill Number HB2615, and they support the moratorium on fracking in bills HB3086 and SB1418.

Although the public is being told that all interests were represented during negotiations for HB 2615, most of these groups strongly disagree. The groups have many areas of concern including the health and safety of those near drilling sites, massive use of water, storage of toxic waste, setbacks of drilling sites from waterways & homes, and local control. HB2615 does not adequately address these issues. The vastly inflated job creation numbers touted by the oil & gas industry are also widely disputed.

When:  A press conference will be held on March 12 from 1:30-2pm in the Capitol Rotunda (coinciding with the coalition’s Springfield lobby day). Visuals will include concerned citizens with signs. Press kits available.

WHO: Annette McMichael, SAFE Media Coordinator/ IPA Leader

Penni Livingston, SAFE Legal Team

Vito Mastrangelo, SAFE Legal and Steering Team

Mary Bechtel, IPA Leader

Bruce Ratain, State Policy Associate, Environment Illinois

House/Senate sponsors of the fracking moratorium bill (invited)

Bev Walters, founder, CAPOW

Dr. Lora Chamberlain, founder, Stop the Frack Attack on Illinois

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Participating groups include: SAFE (Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing our Environment), IPA (Illinois People’s Action), Environment Illinois, and ICMF ( Illinois Coalition for a Moratorium on Fracking). ICMF members include: MoveOn.org Illinois, PDA Chicago and Illinois, SE Environmental Task Force, CAPA (Chicago Area Peace Action), CAPOW! (Citizens Act to Protect Our Water), Stop the Frack Attack on IL, Rising Tide, RAN Chicago, Gray Panthers and the Chicago Chapter of World Can’t Wait.