Several people reacted strongly to Colorado Matters' conversation with Tisha Schuller. She's leaving her post as head of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and some listeners thought our questions were soft.
They also objected to Schuller calling movements to ban hydraulic fracturing a "lazy" way to address climate change.
Laura Fronckiewicz, of Niwot, says she led the campaign to ban fracking in Broomfield, "... while pregnant and with a toddler, then with a newborn, with the help of a lot of passionate, dedicated and concerned parents. One of whom passed away from breast cancer last Friday. She had breast cancer while she was helping us and despite going through chemo continued her work and was far from lazy. There was nothing lazy about our hard work and desire to protect our families from the industry's disregard for our health and environment. I've since moved out of Broomfield to protect the health of my children."
Andrew Tarr also supported the ballot measure to ban hydraulic fracturing in Broomfield. He didn't like Schuller's comment that most residents just need more information about drilling. "How patronizing." he wrote. "It's much more complex and nuanced than she was letting us on to. There is ample and mounting evidence to give us credible concerns about health and environmental risks from our fracking industry."
Sarah Egolf, also of Broomfield, agrees. She found Schuller's comments offensive: "She calls the voters who banned fracking in multiple cities hypocritical, lazy, and uninformed. On the contrary, we're very well informed that heavy industry and hydrocarbons are not appropriate in residential zones, next to schools or churches. The fact that we use the fuel ourselves doesn't make us hypocrites. It simply makes us customers, and we're demanding the oil and gas industry in Colorado do things right!"
David Congour of Montrose disagreed with Schuller's comment about a world interdependent on oil and gas. "Renewable energy systems, like solar, geo, wind, and hydro, could contribute much more to the energy portfolio than they do at present," he writes. "What's needed is an even playing field, which considers the huge external costs being paid in terms of present and future environmental damage resulting from massive amounts of drilling."
One person commented on Facebook in support of Schuller. Mark Oinen wrote, "Its true. The hypocrisy is that a lot of these people concerned about fracking in their neighborhood still drive around in these huge SUVs and heat and cool their 4,000 square foot houses."
After this Loud & Clear segment aired, Oinen wrote to add: "I'd like to clarify my statement. While I agree with her sentiment about "lazy environmentalism," I -- in no way-- support [Schuller], COGA, or any of what they are trying to do. I believe the true villain is the oil and gas consumer and the oil and gas industry are at best accomplice to the crimes to our environment, but probably play a darker role."
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