I am writing to express my dismay at the legislature’s late night actions on Jan. 5. N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis pledged one year ago to run the House honorably and with transparency. Last minute midnight sessions while several legislators are unable to attend because of serious illness simply do not meet the transparency and honor code legislative leaders claim to use in the state legislature.

Fracking and shale gas development have been connected to groundwater contamination, animal deaths, toxic air pollution, tap water that can be lit on fire, heavy truck and traffic congestion, and health problems associated with the various toxic chemicals used in this controversial process. Recent reports on fracking and its wastewater disposal have caused some distressing problems in Ohio and Wyoming: 11 minor earthquakes in Northeast Ohio likely were caused by the injecting of wastewater from fracking into deep wells; and the EPA scienticially linked fracking as the cause of water contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming.

These recent media reports across the country only make it more evident that fracking is not right for North Carolina’s public health and environment. As a voter and citizen of North Carolina, I’m opposed to Speaker Tillis and N.C. Senate President Phil Berger’s dishonorable leadership through late night political stunts and the controversial move toward fracking in North Carolina.

I urge our legislative leaders and my representative to stop these late night shenanigans and to oppose Senate Bill 709 and any pro-fracking bill that may be introduced.

Diane Affonso

Elm City