Drilling has a cost
Three natural gas-related explosions occurred in the United States within four days. This latest one killed one person, injuring several others, in Johnson County, near Fort Worth, Texas. This follows the well blow-out on June 3 in Clearfield County, Pa., where the out-of-control well spewed out explosive gas and polluted water for 16 hours. A few days later, another explosion, this time in West Virginia's Marcellus Shale, hurt seven workers.
The industry says drilling and pipelines are safe and the environment will remain healthy. Thousands of permits are being issued to energy companies to take clean water from the streams to mix with over 650 chemicals (some toxic, undisclosed and proprietary), to make hydraulic fracturing fluid for injection into wells being drilled to depths reaching 7,000 feet or more.
Many authorities are warning of catastrophic risks to our drinking water, prompting Pennsylvania's Upper Delaware Water Basin as well as the state of New York to call for moratoriums and limits to further drilling in the Marcellus Shale. A moratorium is a temporary stoppage. Without proper regulations, the facts suggest the need for the permanence of a ban.
Landowners receive money with the signed lease and royalty payments with a productive well. They become alarmed when drinking water is contaminated and property values decline. Of course, leasing comes with non-disclosure agreements that limit any public disclosure of the facts. The promises of jobs, economic gains and a healthy environment can be short-lived.
BOB FIFE
Mount Washington
The industry says drilling and pipelines are safe and the environment will remain healthy. Thousands of permits are being issued to energy companies to take clean water from the streams to mix with over 650 chemicals (some toxic, undisclosed and proprietary), to make hydraulic fracturing fluid for injection into wells being drilled to depths reaching 7,000 feet or more.
Many authorities are warning of catastrophic risks to our drinking water, prompting Pennsylvania's Upper Delaware Water Basin as well as the state of New York to call for moratoriums and limits to further drilling in the Marcellus Shale. A moratorium is a temporary stoppage. Without proper regulations, the facts suggest the need for the permanence of a ban.
Landowners receive money with the signed lease and royalty payments with a productive well. They become alarmed when drinking water is contaminated and property values decline. Of course, leasing comes with non-disclosure agreements that limit any public disclosure of the facts. The promises of jobs, economic gains and a healthy environment can be short-lived.
BOB FIFE
Mount Washington