Published in the Atlantic Highlands Herald, Friday, 15 July 2011

http://www.ahherald.com/opinion-mainmenu-30/letters-to-the-editor/11284-christie-must-sign-fracking-ban-legislation

Fracking? Exactly what is it and why should we care? Fracking involves injecting millions

of gallons of water, chemicals and sand into shale rock formations at high pressures to break open the rock thus releasing natural gas. The chemicals used in this process are toxic and can leakinto drinking water. The fracking process depletes the water supply while producing hazardous waste water.

There are over 1000 well documented cases of water contamination throughout the nation. If that isn't scary enough, households near fracking sites have reported their tap water literally catching on fire!

Fracking has come home to New Jersey. This process poses a serious threat to the Delaware River Watershed. Due to a lack of federal regulation, our NJ state legislature passed a bill (A3313/S2576) banning fracking. The ball is now in Governor Christie's court. I urge Governor Christie to sign this landmark legislation.

Regards,

Robert Scardapane
Somerset, New Jersey