[DEFEATED] Convention on Fracking

[New Azura]

The honorable delegate from the Azuran contingency to the World Assembly is pleased to announce that the Convention on Fracking resolution has reached quorum, and is now in queue to be debated on the floor of the General Assembly. (Huzzah!)

[The Dark Star Republic]

This was submitted with unnecessary haste. Did the drafting period last even one day?

Defines the practice of hydraulic fracturing as any associated technique that utilizes the injection of a liquid compound

This probably doesn't matter too much as the definition is basically unnecessary, but fracking fluid isn't a compound, it's a mixture of compounds.

Requires member-states of the World Assembly to update any and all existing state regulations on the processes involved with hydraulic fracturing to meet the standards levied by the recommendation of the Council on Petroleum Extraction,

It's poor drafting form to cite a committee before it's actually been created. Again, it probably doesn't affect the effectiveness of the proposal, but it's just sloppy writing.

Restricts the utilization of hydraulic fracturing techniques in the procurement of previously-inaccessible energy reserves to those areas that exist no less than fifty miles away from incorporated cities, towns, or communities;

There are probably few who share our aversion to non-SI units, but other than that, the problem here is simple vagueness. Spaced out rural "communities" may cover a wide area with low density: how exactly would "fifty miles" (whatever a mile is) be measured from them? This is not an unresolvable, but it would be much easier to handle on the national or subnational level.

To research the development of hydraulic fracturing techniques currently employed by national governments and private energy corporations,

Again, it's just shoddy writing. This means that subnational/supernational government entities are unaffected, nor are unincorporated entities. Neither would be expected to be greatly relevant, but proposals should be tightly written regardless.

Requires that member-states of the World Assembly regulate organizations that utilize hydraulic fracturing techniques by requiring environmental cleanup of any chemical runoffs or groundwater contamination, and to monitor groundwater tables for possible contaminants under penalty of monetary fines or suspension of licensing to the offending corporations.

This is pretty redundant, given 3.iv of the Transboundary Water Use Act already covers this.

There is little in this proposal that we find actively objectionable, and it has limited relevance to TDSR given our energy situation, but it is not a well written or organized draft, and rejecting it might lead to a better version being produced.

[Normlpeople]

"Ahh, Fracking, the latest in a long line of progressive technology that environmentalists are afraid of. At least most attempt to actually get it right, this is so poorly written it borders on untrue in many points. I look forward to voting against this."

[Free State of New Market]

New Market cannot support this resolution. Fracking has become the latest in a long line of processes accused of many things, none of which can be proven by any sort of scientific degree. As the esteemed Imperialist Russia delegate has pointed out, the technology is not new at all. Though its use has expanded, none of the rumored 'disasters' from applying the technique have come about, including blaming fracking for touching off earthquakes. As a country started through the ravages of natural disaster, we in New Market are very conscious of true cause and effect.

Fracking has a limited scope, and as pointed out by another delegate, if water supplies across borders are affected, another resolution on such things already has precedence. In this case, the World Assembly is interfering in sovereign territory it has no jurisdiction over.

Opposed.

[Jarish Inyo]

Can someone please explain why the WA should have the right to fine or suspend a license that my government has granted to a company?

I would like to point out that cities, towns, or communities pop up around wells do come become incorporated. Are we to shutdown a well when a community incorporates?

[Bananaistan]

3.) Restricts the utilization of hydraulic fracturing techniques in the procurement of previously-inaccessible energy reserves to those areas that exist no less than fifty miles away from incorporated cities, towns, or communities;

Bananaistan will not support this proposal. Even if the remainder of the proposal was excellent, the above would be enough for us to oppose. 50 miles appears to a very random distance. And what the blazes is an incorporated city, town or community? No such thing exists in Bananaistan so, we could merrily frack away under the main street in our capital.

OOC: With miles and incorporated towns, this appears to be rather US-centric. I would think that international law should use SI units and we share the ambassador from The Dark Star Republic's thoughts on this.

[Imperializt Russia]

Can someone please explain why the WA should have the right to fine or suspend a license that my government has granted to a company?

Because you joined the WA which has the power to put in place regulatory bodies?

[Jarish Inyo]

Can someone please explain why the WA should have the right to fine or suspend a license that my government has granted to a company?

Because you joined the WA which has the power to put in place regulatory bodies?

Not a good enough reason. It won't be the WA that has to clean up and live with any environmental damage.

But it will be easy enough to bypass this entire proposal if it passes. It only regulates corporations. Nothing in this proposal is really binding to governmental drilling operations.

[Imperializt Russia]

Because you joined the WA which has the power to put in place regulatory bodies?

Not a good enough reason. It won't be the WA that has to clean up and live with any environmental damage.

But it will be easy enough to bypass this entire proposal if it passes. It only regulates corporations. Nothing in this proposal is really binding to governmental drilling operations.

If you deem the fundamental point of the WA to be "not good enough" reason to interfere with the statistics of your nation (gameside), why did you join?

[Jarish Inyo]

I joined with the hope that WA members would have reasonable and logical concerns for true international matters. But most seem to be more interested in having the WA micromanage its member nations.

As to this proposal, my question still stands. I do have a few other questions. Who is gonna make sure that the corporation pays it's fines that the WA dictate? Who is gonna enforce the shutdown of the well if the WA suspends an corporation? What's to stop a nation from issuing a new license so a corporation can continue its operations? What stops a nation from nationalizing the well and continuing operations? After all, independence from a foreign nation for fuel is a national concern.

[Defwa]

I joined with the hope that WA members would have reasonable and logical concerns for true international matters. But most seem to be more interested in having the WA micromanage its member nations.

As to this proposal, my question still stands. I do have a few other questions. Who is gonna make sure that the corporation pays it's fines that the WA dictate? Who is gonna enforce the shutdown of the well if the WA suspends an corporation? What's to stop a nation from issuing a new license so a corporation can continue its operations? What stops a nation from nationalizing the well and continuing operations? After all, independence from a foreign nation for fuel is a national concern.

In order, Your government, Your government, nothing it's your choice to suspend licenses to begin with, nothing but your government would still be required to operate with the same environmental restrictions.

The author has since submitted this and not reentered to comment or to correct any of the issues that are present in this resolution but you do a disservice by not reading for content so you can complain, regardless. I do want to however point out that if you are dissatisfied with the WA's repeated infringement on your national sovereignty that you can leave- because this organization is designed to infringe on sovereignty. You may have entered hoping that the WA would only legislate on the things you want but if it is just too much for you that you can't accept that your vote has been overridden by the votes of others, you should consider vacating the premises.

[Frustrated Franciscans]

You do realize 90% of said fracking fluid is actually sand correct?

Once again, we have a resolution that fails to comprehend the technicalities behind hydraulic fracturing.

Opposed....

I would just like to say that ...

I agree!

Tomorrow morning I'm going to look west instead of east to verify that the sun isn't now starting to rise from that direction.

Strongly opposed.

[Chester Pearson]

I joined with the hope that WA members would have reasonable and logical concerns for true international matters.

No.... They are more worried about the color of toothpaste, and banning marital rape (issues which are clearly national in nature)....

[Defwa]

I joined with the hope that WA members would have reasonable and logical concerns for true international matters.

No.... They are more worried about the color of toothpaste, and banning marital rape (issues which are clearly national in nature)....

Why is that joke next to a really serious problem...

[Chester Pearson]

No.... They are more worried about the color of toothpaste, and banning marital rape (issues which are clearly national in nature)....

Why is that joke next to a really serious problem...

I was highlighting the continual WA overstep.... Quit reading too much into it.

[Defwa]

Why is that joke next to a really serious problem...

I was highlighting the continual WA overstep.... Quit reading too much into it.

That last one is a serious problem that some nations do not address (or would not, had the WA had not later made them). Its a bad example.

And I am unanimous in that

[Note to self, possible secondary ambassador for proposals I do not take seriously?]

[Wrapper]

That picture makes me want to ask, "Ambassador Landfree, are you free?" As for this proposal... meh. Okay so Oklahoma is having earthquakes, and that's causing everyone to jump up and down and scream "It's FRACKING"? Not convinced yet.

IC: Our nation has virtually no mining industry, nor do we use fossil fuels anymore, so this won't affect us in any appreciable way. We'll sit this out for now.

[Defwa]

That picture makes me want to ask, "Ambassador Landfree, are you free?" As for this proposal... meh. Okay so Oklahoma is having earthquakes, and that's causing everyone to jump up and down and scream "It's FRACKING"? Not convinced yet.

IC: Our nation has virtually no mining industry, nor do we use fossil fuels anymore, so this won't affect us in any appreciable way. We'll sit this out for now.

OOC: Save it for the future Ambassador Wizard Missus Slokum

[Imperializt Russia]

I joined with the hope that WA members would have reasonable and logical concerns for true international matters.

No.... They are more worried about the color of toothpaste, and banning marital rape (issues which are clearly national in nature)....

How is marital rape "national in nature"? It's societally pervasive.

[Bears Armed]

How is marital rape "national in nature"?

Because any one nation's policies on the matter have no direct effects on any other nation.

[Defwa]

How is marital rape "national in nature"?

Because any one nation's policies on the matter have no direct effects on any other nation.

Neither does slavery but its a human rights issue.

[Wrapper]

Hmmm, this has either gone off topic, or some of you toasters are using the wrong definition of "fracking".

[Defwa]

Hmmm, this has either gone off topic, or some of you toasters are using the wrong definition of "fracking".

A message from Ambassador Wizard Missus Slokum

[Separatist Peoples]

Hmmm, this has either gone off topic, or some of you toasters are using the wrong definition of "fracking".

"I find it rather regrettable that this hot button topic has managed to buzz enough delegates to make quorum instead of instill in a little research-digging. Alas, the average delegate treats the proposal queue akin to a social media feed with an up-vote option."

[Defwa]

Hmmm, this has either gone off topic, or some of you toasters are using the wrong definition of "fracking".

"I find it rather regrettable that this hot button topic has managed to buzz enough delegates to make quorum instead of instill in a little research-digging. Alas, the average delegate treats the proposal queue akin to a social media feed with an up-vote option."

OOC: While not being a delegate, I would totally be for the concept of endorsing a resolution just because it needs to come to a vote and not because you support it- but I also invite WA intervention into national affairs because I'm one of those world government fans.