To the Editor:

The rivers are low, and so are the springs. As we face a drought, Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, not only actively supports fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in the state, he co-sponsored SB 786 to fast-track fracking. This bill also extended big government, pre-empting local ordinances that would let communities make critical decisions about water. 

Fracking is not safe. Operations in other states have contaminated groundwater, according to findings from Duke University, and have also caused adverse health impacts. Water is vital to our national security, and to our lives. 

Jim Davis is ready to jeopardize water with fracking in our mountains and elsewhere in the state, actively opening the way for out-of-state companies to drill for export. He pushed legislation without adequate time for study, and without requiring companies to disclose chemicals used in fracking operations — putting fire department and first responder volunteers at risk. The industry’s own estimates show that fracking would create only about 400 jobs in North Carolina.

Jane Hipps is an excellent candidate who is running against Davis in District 50. Jane will work to protect our water, and opposes fracking. In the 2014 hearing on fracking before the Mining and Energy Commission (MEC), 80 people spoke eloquently with concerns about fracking. The MEC received 220,000 written comments, the majority ardently opposing fracking in N.C. Instead of listening to the people, the legislature and governor have continued to actively promote fracking. Please let Mr. Davis know that water is too important to be casually ignored.

Autumn Woodward

Canton