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Some places have banned fracking, a controversial type of natural gas
drilling. Critics say the process contaminates groundwater. But proponents
say it creates jobs and energy independence. Host Michel Martin is joined
by NPR’s Jeff Brady and reporter Scott Detrow from NPR’s StateImpact
project in Pennsylvania. They discuss the boom and bust of fracking.
Solving fracking’s biggest problem
A Georgia company called Ecologix thinks it has found a way to
reduce the amount of water used to extract gas.
German Lawmakers Reject Ban on Shale-Gas Fracking in
Parliament
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government won votes that will permit
fracking to continue in Germany, saying the technique may help the
country’s energy supply security.
Merkel’s coalition government defeated motions from the Green
Party and Left Party that called for banning hydraulic fracturing, or
fracking, after the opposition argued the technique is harmful to the
environment. The vote was 309 against the Green Party’s motion, 259 in
favor and two abstentions. There was no count for the second motion.
Boulder County adopts new fracking guidelines
Boulder County Commissioners unanimously adopted controversial
new oil and gas guidelines Thursday, which will allow fracking on county
land.
Boulder County says a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or
fracking, will eventually be lifted, but it will most likely be extended first
so the regulations can be put in place.
PA Agency Fails to Share Fracking and Drinking Water Info with
Homeowners
This fall I spoke to people in Pennsylvania who live next door to
fracking operations. The question on nearly everyone’s mind was what
fracking was doing to their drinking water. People have industrial drill
pads and massive wastewater pits near their homes, and some have
watched their tap water turn brown or catch fire. It’s not surprising they
are concerned about the health and safety of their families.
Look out for fracking (and how to stop it)