For the past several weeks I’ve been petitioning within our New London community in support of the proposed fracking waste ban ordinance and conversing with individuals and local groups that are organizing in response to their concerns about the new White House administration. Aside from signatures, I have collected an almost uniform impression. People were shocked! Most knew about hydraulic fracturing and were opposed to it, but many also believed that, without mineable shale formations in Connecticut, we are at least locally “safe” from fracking’s risks.

When people learned that fracking waste created in Pennsylvania is potentially transportable to Connecticut for processing in our hazardous and sewage treatment facilities, or repurposed and sold as a road deicer or construction materials, their response was simple − we must stop this!

The state recently introduced bill HB 6329, a ban on the importation of fracking waste. We believe this is a response to the efforts by the 10 Connecticut municipalities that have already passed bans and the 19 more who are working on them. Please support a New London ban to protect our city’s environment, residents and first responders, and to support efforts towards statewide action on this vital issue. 

Maureen Connaughton

New London