Fracking isn't causing water contamination
As the EPA investigators wend their way around the country, its becoming more and more obvious that fracking isn't the culprit in water well contamination.
The correlation is to the number of wells drilled, not the process. Yes, we're drilling a lot of wells in the U.S.
For those occasional and temporary disturbances, our country gains independence from foreign suppliers, job growth and a source of cheap, reliable, domestic energy for the foreseeable future.
Worth it? Most people living in the real world say "yes."
No chatter on the EPA findings from those furiously intent on banning gas development in N.Y.
Why would they bring it up? They've gotten the PR necessary by demonizing the process and slip-streaming the word "frack" onto all the expressions attached to the most popular all-purpose Anglo-Saxon expletive.
Put "frack" on signs with nod-nod-wink-wink-smirk and … bingo … a memorable slogan. Well done, antis.
The argument then doesn't depend on fact and science. It's carried by negative emotion.
One little problem: it isn't true.
If we were to believe all the hype about hydraulic fracturing, we could expect the huddled masses of Pennsylvania escaping across the border, women in babushkas and boots, men on tractors leading goats and cows. It isn't happening. What's happening down there is prosperity, job growth and problems being solved. Check it out. It's a nice day trip.
And in New York, what's happening is more and more people waking up at 4:30 a.m., getting into their cars and heading south to … you remember these … good paying jobs with benefits. Yes, in Pennsylvania.
So worry on, antis. Tout the merits of wind and solar. Their time may come. Meanwhile, gas will carry the energy load for the next 50 years.
Dick Downey
Otego
