Kent environmental groups discuss fracking bill at community meeting
Intro:
Local environmental groups are doing everything they can to pass a controversial bill this November.
They spoke to community members in a meeting Monday night to explain their side of the controversy.
These members of the Kent community are afraid for the safety of their families.
Residents gathered at the Kent Free Library Monday night to discuss legislation that will be on the November ballot – Issue 21, also known as the Community Bill of Rights.
The meeting was led by Kent Environmental Rights Group (KERG) – a grassroots organization that is concerned about oil and gas corporations making their way to Portage County.
The Ohio House passed Bill 375 earlier this year, that would ultimately increase drilling in the state.
But Gwen Fischer, a member of Concerned Citizens Ohio – another grassroots group – said Issue 21 aims to give power back to local government to keep drilling away.
She says this community meeting is just one strategy for getting the word out about environmental threats.
“If we do nothing, the industry is going to do whatever it can get away with doing legally and we think this really infringes on the rights of people in Kent to live the kind of life that they want to live,” Fischer said.
Tag:
The bill is not only a fight against fracking in Kent.
Issue 21 asks for the right to pure water, clean air, a sustainable energy future and a local community self-government.
