It's an unregulated way to drill for natural gas that involves pumping millions of gallons of chemical-laced water underground to release gas pockets trapped in seams of rock.
But exactly which chemicals are used and how well they are disposed of is a mystery, thanks to loopholes bought with millions of dollars in lobbying and donations to elected officials.
Unsurprisingly, horizontal fracking has almost always been accompanied by serious health and environmental crises in nearby communities, and without disclosing the chemicals they use, scientists are unable to link ground, water and air contamination to their secret cash cow.
Almost across the board, where fracking operations begin, locals get sick. Some that live near fracking operations report contaminated tap water that can actually be lit on fire.
That's not all that surprising considering the obscene amounts of waste water produced during horizontal fracking, which many water treatment facilities are not built to deal with. This mixture of toxic chemicals, heavy salts and radioactive material is often left to fester in open pits or is dumped into major rivers and tributaries, causing a rash of horrific ailments suffered by those living nearby.
Without having to disclose the chemicals used in fracking fluid, there's no way scientists can link air, water or ground contamination to these drilling operations. It's twisted, but it's true.
Drilling companies are digging in, offering gigantic paydays to farmers and cash-strapped landowners to be able to frack on their land. They've already bought off elected officials to assure the unfettered expansion of this lucrative industry.
The federal government needs to step in before it's too late. Please sign our petition to Secretary Ken Salazar today.
methane and other like chemicals aren't too tasty to drink or cook with. We'll end up with aquifers like the slag heaps coal left to remind us they'd been there.
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I'll believe corporations are persons when Texas executes one.: LBJ's Ghost
methane and other like chemicals aren't too tasty to drink or cook with. We'll end up with aquifers like the slag heaps coal left to remind us they'd been there.
Not to mention the possible unnatural seismic activities that it may create.
I think our country can drill for gas and oil here safely if they want to and not rely on any mideast oil. We do have enough here within our borders or at least the North American continent.
In 25 to 35 years form now we may even be able to economically cut our use of petroleum for energy between 30 to 40 percent with some green energy technology.
and currently the chemicals used are completely immune to epa/clean water regulation thanks to our republicans primarily.....
This could be a great boom to our economy, but it needs to be regulated so that it is done properly and doesn't face a major backlash...
keep it unregulated = eventully face a major backlash and possible bans in entirety
regulate it = keep it reasonably safe (albeit slightly more expensive) but it will continue to exist as a business
and currently the chemicals used are completely immune to epa/clean water regulation thanks to our republicans primarily.....
Quote:
Thought experiment: Picture Washington under total Tea Party control.
Mitch McConnell will privatize Social Security. Jim DeMint will end Medicare. And kiss the EPA goodbye since Tea Partiers think clean water tramples on their constitutional right to be poisoned. The Tea Party?s like kudzu ? you give ?em an inch, they take MILES.
: James Carville
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I'll believe corporations are persons when Texas executes one.: LBJ's Ghost
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