This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Moreover, Utica Shale Appalachian Basin deposits are believed to be larger. Obama's "energy independence" goal and subservience to industry wishes drive Washington's cooperation. With significant revenue potential, local officials do the same.
As a result, regulatory restraints are abandoned despite known fracking hazards, including reckless use of toxic chemicals and their disposal.
In a race to capitalize on industry potential, states are brazenly supporting energy company interests at the expense of their residents. Pennsylvania, in fact, became hydrofracking's wild west. New wells under development doubled from 2009 to 2010 at the cost of contaminated drinking water increasing at an alarming rate.
Hundreds of millions of gallons of toxic waste fluids are dumped into rivers and streams annually. No regulations prohibit it. Wastewater treatment plants can't flush out toxins let alone dangerous radioactive materials contaminating areas forever.
In addition, recycling methods don't work because with each use, waste fluids become more contaminated, compounding the problem of ultimate disposal.
Moreover, the longer unsustainable practices continue, the harder it will be to find workable solutions. Planned Marcellus Shale development alone calls for at least 50,000 new wells in the next two decades, up from 6,400 permitted now.
At this pace, contaminated drinking water will cause epidemic illness levels affecting tens of millions of people across vast areas where hydrofracking occurs. Corrupted politicians in bed with oil and gas interests allow it, abandoning public safety.
For example, C. Alan Walker heads Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), given regulatory-free authority to expedite job creation. His mandate says by any means, including by hazardous hydrofracking drilling.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
