Water, water everywhere?
Well, no, not even remotely true.
And for that reason, as drought conditions are prevalent in more than 60 percent of the counties in the United States, everybody should take a deep breath and consider whether fracking is such a good idea for our area.
We didn't get much snow this past winter, so there was less of the stuff melting to replenish our water supplies. Compound that with two straight months of above-average heat causing increased evaporation, and things might be getting kind of thirsty around here.
The mean temperature was 71.6 degrees in July, said David Mattice, National Weather Service observer at Emmons. The normal is 68.4 degrees.
While it did not set a record, Mattice said, "The difference is significant."
The rainfall for the month was 1.54 inches, Mattice said. The normal is 3.93 inches.
"The lack of rainfall in July compounds a June shortfall of 1.64 inches, Mattice said, adding that in his 30 years of weather observing, he doesn't recall two months in a row of less than two inches of rainfall.
Folks can argue about global warming. We have stated before that there is a big difference between weather and climate. An especially hot couple of summer months or a huge snowstorm in the winter are merely weather events.
However, a long-term pattern, such as has been the case over the last decade or more, makes a pretty convincing case that the planet is getting hotter, and fresh water has become more and more of a precious commodity.
Fracking uses between 2 million and 12 million gallons of water for each well, along with large amounts of chemicals and sand.
Yes, water is still plentiful in upstate New York. But climate change is a wild card that most certainly bears watching.
"We're having difficulty acquiring water," Chris Faulkner, CEO of Breitling Oil and Gas, told CNN.com.
Breitling has operations in Pennsylvania that include the same Marcellus shale deposit that is in our area.
Faulkner told CNN.com that officials in two Pennsylvania counties have stopped issuing permits for oil companies to draw water from rivers.
So, what's to be done?
One solution could be a gas industry report in May that focused on using a thick gel made from propane to extract natural gas from deep shale formations.
Not only does it save water, say its proponents, it doesn't employ the chemicals that scare so many of us about water-based fracking.
The propane method may wind up costing more, and for all we know may have its own problems.
But with our climate getting so scary, fracking using huge amounts of water is an idea that is all wet.
Opinion
Water use another strike against fracking
- Opinion
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
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Resort proposal is just too big
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a New York state taxpayer-owned recreational area. People who have paid for BMSC with their hard-earned dollars should not have to also pay for the infrastructure necessary to assure an enjoyable ski experience for the visitors to a private developer's monster mega-mall/spa resort on a mountaintop.
- Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
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Redistributing wealth just isn't fair
Yesterday a dozen of us were eating lunch in the break room where I work, most of us complaining that all we could afford was peanut butter and jelly and bologna ... except for Rob.
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Hoping many will adopt a grave
It's that time of year again; adopt a grave. I am hoping when you buy flowers or a plant for a family member or friend's grave that you will buy some for another grave. I wish everyone would open up their heart and honor someone else by putting flowers on their grave. My hope is that groups, families and youth groups adopt a cemetery or a grave, and at least once a year that person or persons will be remembered. I started out with two and now am up to 14. It doesn't have to be expensive; just what your heart tells you to do.
- Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
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Blame Dems for Social Security woes
In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'
- Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
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Newman housing would benefit city
I would like to comment on the excellent letter written recently by Alan Cleinman concerning the "Newman Development."
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Paying what you can afford won't work
Our president said:
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On our Opinion: Cheers
