[Passed] Restrictions On Hydraulic Fracturing

[Cormac]

Restrictions On Hydraulic Fracturing

A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental | Industry Affected: All Businesses | Proposed by: United Massachusetts

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The General Assembly:

Aware of its commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of all means of energy production, to protect the populations affected by them,

Declaring that hydraulic fracturing unfortunately fits neither of these constraints, instead imperiling the health and well-being of many populations, while consuming an unconscionable amount of water,

Noting that hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as "fracking", may lead to the contamination of groundwater, thereby toxifying soil, marshlands, riverine and coastal fisheries, and drinking water sources, introducing sickness in sapient beings, livestock, and wild animals,

Aware that, since hydraulic fracturing requires such large amounts of water, local communities, particularly those in drought-plagued regions, are often left with an insufficient supply of clean water,

Further noting the strong correlation between fracking and increased seismic activity,

Frightened that fracking releases a significant amount of methane, a greenhouse gas far stronger than carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere,

Trusting the ability of the energy sector to extract energy in a way that avoids the environmental hazards of fracking,

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, "hydraulic fracturing" as a method of fossil-fuel extraction in which pressurized liquids are inserted into the crevices of underground rocks at high pressures, in order to release the natural gas or oil contained therein,
2. Prohibits the practice of hydraulic fracturing in all areas of World Assembly member-states which are in or within close range of land inhabited by populations of sapient beings, to the extent that the practice:
   
   1. poses a demonstrably significant threat of contamination thereto,
   2. harms the water resources demonstrably neccessary to ensure the health of local communities,
   3. and/or poses significant risk of other strongly detrimental health effects, according to the World Health Authority, to said populations of sapient beings,
3. Clarifies that the policy laid out in Section 2 still applies when the region of effect crosses national boundaries.

[Cormac]

Nay

[Mike]

Nay

[The Atlae Isles]

Aye

[Cormac]

Restrictions on Hydraulic Fracturing was passed 12,080 votes to 5,327.