This is just a sample of an individual’s email to Delegates about one of the key bills being discussed by the GA. There are 4 bills (HB1678, HB1679, SB1291 and SB1292) that all pertain to the hiding of the chemicals used in fracking from the public. Please call and email your elected officials to let them know we want to know and we have the right to know. Remember that you are doing this as an individual, not as a League representative:

I write to you, as a citizen of the State of Virginia, asking you to vote no on HB1678 as it violates the people’s right to transparency. Citizens and property owners deserve the right to know about harmful chemicals being used in the hydraulic fracturing process. These chemicals could have long term impacts on the safety and well-being of citizens as they could be accidentally released into the environment through the wells, transportation, or storage of these fluids.

It is only with the knowledge of what chemicals are in use that effective monitoring can be done concerning any cluster of medical issues that arise and/or the downstream impact of possible incursion into ground and surface waters.

Fracking, as it is done today is far different from previous wells and provides additional potential for problems. Horizontal drilling is a new player on the field with most of the data available being based upon vertically drilled wells. To date, there is insufficient evidence to show the impact that horizontal drilling has had on ground and surface water. The chemicals being used also vary significantly from well to well so again, the data is insufficient to make any clear statements as to impact of fracking fluids on surface and ground water.

To shroud this process in secrecy is to perpetrate the very lack of data that is needed to show whether these processes are truly safe and to help identify problems before major damage is done. Please vote no on this bill.

Thank you for your consideration,

Carol Lindstrom

(address here)