Despite the potential benefits from a large increase in domestically produced natural gas, including the displacement of coal-fired electricity generation and reduced energy prices, the Virginia Chapter remains deeply concerned about horizontal hydraulic fracturing.

The industry has failed to demonstrate a commitment to apply the highest practicable environmental standards. Fracking has caused major impacts on the land and water resources of rural communities. It has created water and air pollution as well as excessive methane emissions, a far more damaging greenhouse gas than CO2.

We support the U.S. Forest Service plan to ban "horizontal drilling" in the George Washington National Forest[, a plan] that is vigorously opposed by the gas industry. We are concerned that fracking has the potential to cause significant forest fragmentation among other problems including contamination of drinking water for local communities.

Horizontal fracking is not the only form of drilling for gas or oil that causes environmental problems, but it involves new and expanded impacts that present new challenges to regulation, such as fresh water consumption, large volumes of contaminated waste requiring disposal, greater impact from extensive road construction and traffic, and greater escape of hydrocarbon gases including the potent greenhouse gas methane.

We recommend that horizontal hydraulic fracturing drilling for natural gas or oil not be permitted in Virginia until such time that a robust regulatory regime, that incorporates continuous improvement and addresses the specific problems with horizontal fracking, is developed and approved. The Virginia Chapter believes that the gas industry has failed to agree to such a regime anywhere in the U.S. and has failed to earn the public's confidence.

We also support the right of local jurisdictions to exclude fracking operations based on zoning concerns.

-- Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club