 Background:
The process of hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as "fracking," involves injecting millions of gallons of water, chemicals and sand into shale rock formations at high pressures to break open the rock and release natural gas. This process cracks the rocks allowing access to natural gas wells.
There are numerous cases of water contamination near fracking sites. Studies have shown that fracking pollutes drinking water supplies with various neurotoxins and carcinogens such as benzene. In addition, fracking releases greenhouse and smog producing gases into the atmosphere. Fracking also produces a toxic wastewater that cannot be treated by standard treatment plants. It is especially dangerous because drillers are rushing to use the technique in new areas of the country without fully evaluating the effects on human health and the environment, and without adequate government oversight.
New Jersey is threatened not just by shale deposits in our state, but also because of massive fracking operations that the gas industry is trying to set up on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. (The Delaware River Basin is one of the largest sources of fresh water in New Jersey). Governor Christie has a vote on the commission that will decide if fracking is to be allowed in the Delaware River Watershed, and his signature is needed to make the ban in New Jersey law.
Governor Christie has yet to take a stance on the fracking ban or plans to allow fracking in the Delaware River Basin.
Actions:
- Click here to contact Governor Christie and urge him to sign the bill (A3313/S2576) banning fracking in New Jersey.
- Write a letter to the editor, using the talking points below (try to limit yourself to one or two), emphasizing the importance of banning fracking in New Jersey. To send your letter, visit our Action Center.
Talking points:
- Fracking chemicals are toxic and can leak into drinking water when injected, or contaminate water from spills or accidents.
- Fracking produces hazardous wastewater, which can contain radioactive substances as well as toxic chemicals, making disposal difficult and dangerous.
- Fracking requires millions of gallons of water, which can deplete local water supplies.
- Fracking can cause natural gas to migrate into drinking water sources, which can cause houses and wells to explode.
- There have been more than 1,000 documented cases of water contamination near drilling sites around the country, including Pavillion, Wyoming; Dimock, Pennsylvania; Garfield County, Colorado; and Parker County, Texas.
- A 2011 Duke University study demonstrated that groundwater near fracking operations has higher methane concentrations.
- The number of fracking wells increased six-fold in Pennsylvania just between 2008 and 2010, and the number of fracking wells nationally increased 41 percent between 2004 and 2010. Fracking is now a serious public health threat.
- The void in federal regulation has left oversight to the states, of which 22 have regulatory agencies struggling to keep up. That is why we need a ban on fracking right now.
- Natural gas fracking extraction emits greenhouse gases, smog-inducing compounds and potential carcinogens causing dangerous health and environmental effects. A 2011 Cornell University study found that shale gas has a greater greenhouse gas footprint than conventional gas or oil.
References:
- Colborn, Theo et al. “Natural gas operations from a public health perspective.” Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. September 4, 2010 at 3.
- Howarth, Robert W., et. al. “Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations: A letter.” Climatic Change. Change, vol. 106, iss. 4. June 2011 at 679.
- Urbina, Ian. “Regulation lax as gas wells’ tainted water hits rivers.” New York Times. February 26, 2011.
- Lustgarten, Abrahm. “Buried Secrets: Is natural gas drilling endangering U.S. water supplies?” ProPublica. November 13, 2008.
Related links:
Jim Walsh of Food & Water Watch contributed to this action page.
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