Marcellus Fracking: Facts & Fictions
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
31 October 2011
An environmental report on a gas-well blowout in Bradford County
in April found no long-term detriments to Pennsylvania groundwater
or watersheds, despite unsubstantiated claims that thousands of
gallons of hydraulic "frack fluid" contaminated well water and a
Susquehanna River tributary.
It's an object lesson in the folly of predetermined conclusions.
The accident drew immediate condemnation from anti-drilling
activists and threats of a lawsuit from Maryland's attorney
general because the Susquehanna empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
But a 179-page report by SAIC Inc. found no lingering
environmental harm stemming from the release of fracking fluids
from Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s Atgas 2H well site. The
environmental impacts were of short duration and confined to
surface waters around the site.
The study was funded by Chesapeake Energy but conducted according
to state Department of Environmental Protection protocols and
accepted by the agency, the New York Post reports.
Of course, a single report shouldn't toss caution to the wind as
it applies to the Marcellus shale gas industry. But it does toss
cold water on those who allow their "science," or their agenda, to
wander far from the facts.
As this industry grows throughout the commonwealth, it must
proceed in a responsible, environmentally safe manner. But those
who bird-dog the industry must also do so responsibly and refrain
from the hyperbole that too often clouds the Marcellus shale
debate.