By Barbara Rosen
Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a process used to extract natural gas far below (1 mile or more) the surface of the earth. The Catskills and southern tier of New York State, part of the Marcellus Shale Formation, are believed to hold huge reservoirs of natural gas. The fracking process involves drilling a mile or deeper into the earth and injecting, under extremely high pressure, a minimum of 3-5 million gallons of water from surrounding streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Also injected into these wells are over 1,000 different chemicals that include benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrochloric acid, asbestos powder, ammonium, chloride, bisulfite, butanol and heavy metals in the return fracking fluid. These chemicals are hazardous if inhaled, ingested or contacted by the skin. They are endocrine disruptors and have been linked to infertility, ADHD, autism, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and childhood and adult cancers.
Pisces. Painting by Carlso Cedillo.
Because shale is inherently radioactive, the fracking waste – more than half of which comes to the surface, while half stays in the ground to be pumped into holding ponds and transported to wastewater facilities – is also radioactive. The DEC has allowed this radioactive fracking waste to be spread on roads in NYS during the icy winter months.
In 2005, the Bush/Cheney Energy Bill (the Halliburton Loophole) exempted natural gas drilling companies from the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Superfund Act. Thus, oil and gas industries are not going to be held accountable for any accidents resulting from fracking. Responsibility for accidents, and there have been many already, will fall on small towns, governments and taxpayers. Unfortunately, the DEC has become a shadow of its former self due to excessive funding cuts and the resulting staff reduction.
Many government officials and state representatives are aware that fracking contaminates water supplies, as well as food supplies and wildlife. That’s why NYS comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is trying to create an industry-supported fund to deal with fracking contamination and accidents. Also, by giving NYC and Syracuse Watersheds special protection, the DEC is acknowledging that fracking is unsafe. What is never stated is that underground water is connected everywhere. We simply cannot see it. Imagine having a nuclear reactor put up in your backyard. Would you protest, as New Yorkers are now doing with Indian Point?
Upstate or downstate, pollution doesn’t stay contained by distance or state borders. It is carried by food, air and water. One day I was reminded about King Midas, who loved gold so much and one day got his wish granted. Everything he touched turned to gold, the food he put into his mouth and his own precious daughter. He gained all the gold his heart desired but lost everything that was most precious to him.
You can contact Governor Cuomo’s office by phone (518) 474 8390 or by mail:
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
