• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Opioid Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Opioid Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

Statement Opposing Fracked Gas Pipelines

North Carolina Council of Churches · September 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment

As people of faith, we proclaim our belief that our world is God’s creation, that God sees it as good, and that it is ours to protect and maintain. As Governing Board members of the NC Council of Churches we represent nearly a million and a half North Carolinians, from many faith traditions, who share a common teaching: we are charged by our Creator with caring for creation (Genesis 1:28, 2:15), and are called to be faithful stewards of that which is entrusted to us (Luke 16:1-13).

Our religious convictions require us to protect the climate, safety, quality of life, environmental justice, rural heritage, water quality, biodiversity, use of public lands, and sustainable local economies. Pipelines constructed to transport fracked gas negatively affect all these things.

As faith leaders of the 21st Century we are well aware of the detrimental effects on the atmosphere of our continued use of fossil fuels and we oppose the continued development of a fossil infrastructure that is literally killing our planet. The Union of Concerned Scientists report that burning fossil fuels shows us the visible cost to our ecosystem, but the hidden costs are much higher. Fracked gas is extremely dangerous. Besides being flammable, gas pipelines emit a significant source of methane emissions through leaks large and small, a material 84 times more detrimental to our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. No pipeline is a hundred percent leak proof, no matter the guarantees and insurances that come from the manufacturer.

Furthermore, we wholeheartedly disagree with the process of fracking because of the extreme detrimental effects to the environment where this process occurs. It has been well documented that irreparable damage is caused to drinking water and to the seismic stability of the earth when this technique is put to use. Pipelines transporting fracked gas imperil water that flows near it
and away from it every minute of a pipeline’s existence. Once the gas is out, the only solution is to wait while this hazardous source wrecks havoc on the wildlife, plant life, and human life it encounters in its flow downstream. Cleanup is virtually impossible.

We resolve that any new investment in energy infrastructure based on the extraction of fossil fuels is morally reprehensible and, as people of faith, we believe it is an abuse of the God-given gift of creation for which we are charged to care. We believe that by numbers, geographic representation, and social influence, the faith communities of North Carolina have the potential to shift the state’s priorities toward a more just and sustainable future. Toward that end, we both circulate this statement of concern and commitment, and also support our words with appropriate behavior. May our actions praise the Creator of the life whom we hereby honor, and may all creation be served by our efforts.

Filed Under: Issue Statements Tagged With: Environment, Fracking

North Carolina Council of Churches

About North Carolina Council of Churches

The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to individually and collectively impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ. Learn more about our work here: www.ncchurches.org/about

Reader Interactions

More Like This

A Win for the People and Planet: Atlantic Coast Pipeline Cancelled!
From Domination to Dominion
Advent Guide: Epiphany Sunday, January 5

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

Statement Opposing Fracked Gas Pipelines

Latest Tweets

Faith communities in NC are supporting a peaceful transition now that former president Donald Trump has left office. Read the @PNS_NC Public News Service (PNS) quoting our Executive Director, @jec16 : publicnewsservice.or… @PNS_News

About 3 hours ago

Calling on the new U.S. Congress to demonstrate immediate leadership in the national care movement by creating a permanent federal #paidleave program. #CareEconomy #CareisEssential Read: bit.ly/2LB3ZEZ

About 4 hours ago

Black voters showed up for democracy despite endless attempts to divide, undermine, and invalidate their votes. Today, we celebrate Black #VoterPower, but we must continue fighting against racist structures to eliminate barriers to voting in the future. pic.twitter.com/dj7o…

About 8 hours ago

We need to start a new chapter. That means new leaders who hold militants accountable for attacking democracy. It means new actions to stop the spread of lies. And it means new rules to empower voters instead of those who undermine the will of the people. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/Qk94…

About a day ago

We recall Dr. King’s urgency for change as we soon inaugurate a new President + the first woman of color VP. Despite violent and racist attacks on our democracy, the will of the people prevails and we continue our work to better our democracy. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/cr10…

About a day ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

There's still time to register - make sure to join us! #MindfulTogether @ncchurches @ncdhhs twitter.com/healthan…

About 2 hours ago

We will heal together. #StrongerTogether #InaugurationDay twitter.com/ncchurch…

About a day ago

RT @CDCgov If you’ve had #COVID19, you should still get vaccinated. Experts aren’t sure how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering, and reinfection is possible. More: bit.ly/3g5amLz. #SleeveUp pic.twitter.com/Yrne…

About a day ago

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Thank you Dr. King for your wisdom and leadership. We hope to continue honoring your vision for justice and peace every day. pic.twitter.com/hpVi…

About 3 days ago

Awesome things to come this year - subscribe and stay in touch! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/ncchurch…

About 6 days ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @DalaiLama I offer my profound congratulations to Joe Biden on becoming President of the United States of America. I am so pleased that he is giving high priority to the urgent issue of climate change. I pray for his success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead. bit.ly/3p5tAEy

About 5 hours ago

RT @RevYearwood This was 2014 when I was a part of the Reject and Protect Interfaith Prayer Gathering. This was one of the many protests against the Keystone XL Pipeline. Almost 7 years We did it! Our work is NEVER in vain. ✊🏿✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/z7wg…

About 5 hours ago

RT @billmckibben Head of the European Investment Bank: "Gas is over." I'd say the message is starting to sink in. euractiv.com/section…

About 5 hours ago

RT @ClimatePower "We need to build our economy back, better than ever." —Transportation Secretary Nominee @PeteButtigieg on the DOT's central role in implementing President Biden's infrastructure vision, creating millions of good-paying, union jobs, and tackling the climate crisis pic.twitter.com/v4gp…

About 5 hours ago

RT @EJinAction We have a new day filled with amazing possibilities for us to move mountains together but it’s gonna take incredible work and authentic collaboration to get it done. #BidenHarris pic.twitter.com/fpEw…

About 5 hours ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine