Industry:
Fracked gas will make America energy independent.
Science: Although initial industry hype of an
estimated 100-year supply from the Marcellus shale, the
U.S. Energy Information Administration states that the
“proven reserves” are only estimated at 11 years at
current rate of consumption. “Probable reserves” may
add 10 years. [4]
• USGS current estimate for NC reserves is only 5.6
years. [7]
• Due to lower U.S. natural gas prices, the industry
is pushing to export to more lucrative foreign markets,
lessening the supply for domestic use. [5]
Industry: Fracking is good for local economies
Science: Fracking creates a boom/bust
economy. In the short term (<10 years) fracking
increases money into an area, (some jobs, restaurants,
housing, etc.) but once operations cease the economy
“busts,” leaving communities, in many cases, worse off
than before. [8]
“Industries likely to be negatively affected include
agriculture, tourism, organic farming, wine, hunting,
fishing and river recreation.” [9]
• Very few jobs are created for locals. Jobs that
are available are low paying, unskilled labor. The
majority of jobs go to out-of-state workers who follow the
fracking boom and who send their income back to their home
state. [9] Most (98%) of
the jobs are dedicated to the actual well drilling part of
the process and are no longer needed after the well is
established. [8]
• Economy is hurt by money needed for road repair,
decreased tourism, decreased agriculture, increased need
for safety and health department staffs. The North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
states that before fracking is allowed, North Carolina
must “invest sufficient resources [money] in compliance
and enforcement”. [6]
The Texas Department of Transportation has estimated a
conservative cost of $2 billion to bring local roads back
to standard condition after fracking damage. [10] These impacts decrease
revenue and increase tax requirements.
Industry: Fracking is safe and well regulated.
Science: Industry claims that they have safely
fracked wells since the 1940s is overstated since current
drilling technology that allows for horizontal shafts is
new and combined with fracking is even newer. [11]
• Industry has a very narrow definition of fracking
that is only “the high-pressure injection of fluid” and
none of the other steps in a fracking operation [2], thus allowing them to
sidestep responsibility for environmental or safety issues
related to these other steps.
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• North Carolina’s shallow shale layers (estimated
depth of about 2000 feet) are 6,000 to 8,000 feet closer
to our aquifers than other states where fracking and
contamination have already occurred. This makes
contamination of North Carolina’s water even more likely.
Fracking has been proven to cause contamination:
1. Pavillion, WY: EPA states that
contamination had most likely seeped up from gas wells and
contained at least 10 compounds known to be used in
fracking fluids. [12]
2. Leroy Township, PA:
Methane-contaminated water supplies and flammable gas
puddles have not only fouled the drinking water but also
pose serious danger of fire and explosions. Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection assessed that
fracking wells leaked methane. [13]
3. Dish, TX: Contaminated air from venting
toxic chemicals has resulted in serious health issues in
whole communities. [14]
• According to the industries’ own reports on
performance (Form 10-K) fracking operations are subject to
many risks, including blow-outs, cratering, explosions,
pipe failures, fires, and uncontrollable flows of natural
gas and well fluids. [1]
• Although there are numerous cases of damage, many
are not reported because of nondisclosure agreements in
leases or in settlement agreements. [15]
• Nonstop, industrial-level truck traffic creates a
hazardous environment not only from the volume of truck
traffic, but also the toxic chemicals many carry and the
road damage they cause.
• Up to 18 giant diesel pumps per well, constant
truck traffic and heavy machinery create an unsafe noise
level.
• The Clean Energy Act of 2005 exempted the gas
industry from compliance with decades-old federal laws
governing safe drinking water and clean air. This
Act greatly degraded the ability of the EPA or other
government offices to ensure the safety of these
operations. Because the chemical solutions used in
fracking are proprietary, individuals and communities have
difficulty proving that damage is a direct result of
fracking. [16]
Industry: Natural Gas is the cleanest energy.
Science: Although natural gas is the cleanest
burning fossil fuel, it is one of the dirtiest to extract
from shale. • Cornell research (confirmed by
NOAA) demonstrated that nearly 8% of fracked methane can
leak into the water and air. [5]
• The amount of pollutants, energy expended, and
damage to the environment resulting from fracking far
outweigh its “clean” proprieties. |
