Hydrofracking Overview

Many residents living above the coveted Marcellus Shale are leasing mineral rights to natural gas companies with hopes of rejuvenating local economies and solving the nation’s energy needs. Massive propaganda campaigns put forth by invested stakeholders sell hydrofracking as a lucrative method of clean energy. This could not be further from the truth.

Hydrofracking will initially infuse a local community with capital; however, these funds are not sustainable. Monetary infusion is short lived. When the gas is exhausted the gas companies have no other option then to relocate to areas where gas reservoirs are more abundant or accessible.

Jobs created by hydrofracking natural gas are near sighted and will slow the transition to alternative clean energy markets. This industry is the proverbial band aid to our Nations Energy Crises. Hydrofracking requires gas companies to inject millions of gallons of water, undisclosed toxic chemicals “trade secrets,” and sand into horizontal wells which can run up to 10,000 feet deep. As the fracturing fluid is pumped into the well it causes pressure to build until the Shale develops horizontal fractures. The fractures are propped open by the sand and chemicals; the pressure from the fracking-fluid is released causing the natural gas rise up the well. The remnants of the toxic chemicals in the fracking-fluid often stay in the ground. The fracking-fluid causes irreversible problems with ground water resulting in health issues in humans other animals and plants.

To see the effects of hydrofracking one can look to Dimock PA where tap water can ignite on fire & local watersheds are devastated by fracking-fluid spills resulting in fish kills. Residents that once saw gas leases as an easy way to earn income are now faced with long term health issues and have united in a lawsuit against Houston based Cabot Oil & Gas Company.