NEWS RELEASE/Event announcement
4-26-13/For Immediate Release
Written & Submitted by: Annette McMichael/SAFE Communications Director
217-273-1000/am@greenmediaservice.com
Johnson County, IL Sets Date for Fracking Town Hall Meeting
Johnson County has invited SAFE (Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing our Environment) members and oil & gas industry representatives to present opposing views and answer questions about proposed high volume horizontal fracking in Southern Illinois.
The town hall meeting will be held on May 8, 6pm, at the Goreville High School. All Illinois residents are invited to attend.
High Volume horizontal fracking is a controversial method of gas and oil extraction that has not been used previously in Illinois.
Johnson County is considering support for a 2-year fracking moratorium so that scientific studies can be done. Time is also needed to resolve water usage and other local issues. Johnson County sits in the middle of a large area where moratorium support is already in place. (See attached map)
Jackson, Union, Pope and Hardin counties have sent letters of support to state legislators, the governor and Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan, who has also expressed his desire for a moratorium.
If Johnson County board also lends its support, communities within almost 2000 square miles of Southern Illinois will be in agreement that more time is needed to ensure that families living in the area will be protected from health hazards, water shortages, and other problems associated with fracking.
Currently, according to the Johnson County Board, 51% of Johnson County has been leased by the oil & gas industry. Under the Illinois Drilling Operations Act, drillers could be allowed to place a well pad on property without the property owners’ consent, or drill under property without the property owners’ consent. One method to do this is called “forced pooling,” or “forced integration.” To some, this means eminent domain for corporate gain. A lively discussion of this and many other issues is sure to be part of the town hall meeting. Goreville High School is located at 201 S. Ferne Clyffe, Goreville, IL