Delgado should support nationwide fracking ban

Dear Editor: I recently met Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-Rhinebeck, along with five other constituents from diverse environmental justice groups. We were encouraged to learn he is considering signing on as a supporter of the national landmark legislation to “Break Free From Plastic Pollution,” and will make a decision within two weeks.

He appeared reluctant, however, to support the national fracking ban bill, introduced Jan. 31 in the Senate and House. This law would require fracking operations be set back 2,500 feet from schools and homes, protecting children and families at risk for asthma, cardiovascular problems and endocrine problems, among others, due to fracking chemical pathways into air, water and soil. The bill then would ban fracking nationwide by 2025.

We hope constituents will call our good congressman over the next two weeks to let him know we must protect our state and nation from radioactive fracking waste, urging him to support both the fracking ban and the “Break Free From Plastic Pollution” bill.

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., is a sponsor of the proposed national fracking ban. “We cannot deny the overwhelming scientific consensus any longer — fracking is a threat to our health, safety and environment,” Soto said. “If we want to transition from fossil fuel emissions as we work toward building a 100 percent clean economy, pulling back from fracking is a critical first step.”

Plastics manufacturing uses fracked ethane, a natural gas liquid. Here’s a golden opportunity to protect our people, climate and water from these toxic industries. Iris Marie Bloom

Stone Ridge