Blog: New Fracking Rule Protects Land and Water

As we continue to offer millions of acres of public lands for conventional and renewable energy production, it is absolutely critical the public have confidence that transparent and effective safety and environmental protections are in place.   - Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior

As Latinos, being outdoors – including the benefits of healthy air and water – is integral to our way of life.

Of course, most Americans use oil and gas and HECHO’s family of campers, hunters, anglers, hikers and other outdoor recreationalists is no different. But the development of those resources cannot come at the expense of clean water and air in our communities. That is why we work so hard to achieve balance on our shared, public land.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s announcement on Friday to balance energy development and protection of our water, air and land is welcome news. Among other smart, safe, and responsible standards, the new requirement to store contaminated drilling fluids in enclosed steel tanks, rather than in open pits, will help to honor one of the core values of HECHO-- to conserve our shared resources for our enjoyment today and for the enjoyment of future generations.

All oil and gas development produces contaminated fluids that, if not disposed of properly, pollute our watersheds and the air we breathe, and threaten the lands where we hunt and fish, our health, our recreation economy and our way of life.

In the West, our land, air and water is intertwined with Latino culture, our traditions and our family life. Secretary Jewell’s announcement today helps to protect this heritage for future generations of Americans.

[tweetthis url="http://j.mp/FrackRules"]TY, @SecretaryJewell & @Interior for leadership on #fracking rules to protect air, water, #Latino #heritage [/tweetthis]