Earth Day Marks One-Year Anniversary of POPLA Bill, Which Would Ban Fracking on All Public Lands

Washington, D.C. – Today, Earth Day, marks the first anniversary of the Protect Our Public Lands Act (POPLA), federal legislation introduced by Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) that would ban fracking on all public lands. In the past year the bill has gained strong momentum, picking up 37 House cosponsors.

With much attention this Earth Day focused on global alarm over an impending climate change crisis, POPLA supporters and advocates are pointing to the huge impact continued oil and gas extraction - facilitated primarily through fracking – is having on our warming planet.

“We owe it to our future generations to protect our public lands,” said Rep. Mark Pocan. “Fracking remains a threat to our air, water, and public health. Even with regulations, fracking could cause water contamination, methane leaks, earthquakes, and habitat destruction. The only way to avoid these risks is to ban fracking on public lands. It’s been a year since I first introduced the Protect Our Public Lands Act with Congresswoman Schakowsky and I remain as committed as ever to protect our national resources.”

“Each Earth Day and every day we must ensure that we commit ourselves to protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the planet we all call home,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “A year ago, I was proud to stand with Representative Mark Pocan in introducing the Protect Our Public Lands Act that would institute the strongest federal fracking ban in the United States. We drafted this strong legislation to protect our public lands from fracking and to ensure that they are protected in the future. If we want to ensure that our planet is healthy for future generations then we must act now. Time is running out.”