WVEC NoticeDecember 9, 2011“Marcellus Monday” at the Capitol! Although even at this late date there is no certainty that a Special Session on regulating Marcellus Shale gas drilling in West Virginia will be called by the governor for next week, one thing we do know for certain is this – the entire Legislature will be meeting for December Interim Sessions starting on Monday. There will be no better time to have a large presence in Charleston to make our concerns known to our Delegates and Senators. If there is a Special Session, we will press our lawmakers to pass strong rules. If there is no Special Session called because of their inability to agree on a bill, we will hold them accountable and call for a moratorium on further permits. So we’re asking everyone who can make it to Charleston to be at the Capitol on Monday December 12th. A noon press conference will be held under the dome on the ground floor (by the Information Desk) to enlighten the media on the urgent need for strong regulation of Marcellus Shale drilling in this state. It is vital to have citizens there who have been adversely affected by Marcellus drilling. If you have witnessed travesties and are available on Monday to talk to the press, please contact Chuck Wyrostok at outreach@marcellus-wv.com and plan to arrive by 11:30am. Earlier arrivals can meet us there to plan action for the day. An issue of concern at this point is what would actually be in the bill that the Governor calls for. The Governor controls the agenda in the call, and the bill he will propose will not be the same exact bill negotiated by the Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Marcellus Shale. It’s important that Legislators know that we support an even stronger bill than the one adopted by the Select Committee, and we will definitely not stand for legislation that weakens or waters down the Select Committee bill. So call your friends and neighbors and plan a carpool for Monday. We need you there to stand up to industry lobbyists. Your elected representatives must understand your determination to secure your rights to clean water, clean air, and human health, and for preservation of your rights as landowners. Don Garvin Chuck Wyrostok
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