Published in the Star-Ledger:  July 16, 2011

http://blog.nj.com/ledgerletters/2011/07/rutger_professor_showed_bad_ma.html

Our nation’s addiction to fossil fuels must not endanger access to even more basic needs, such as clean drinking water. Yet that is exactly what will happen if oil companies are allowed to mine for natural gas in the Delaware River Basin using the technique of hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking.” This process involves cracking rock formations open by injecting them with millions of gallons of water, chemicals and sand. Fracking both depletes local water supplies and contaminates the remaining water with toxic chemicals. Over a thousand cases of water contamination have been documented near fracking sites around the country.

The Legislature has already passed a bill to ban fracking in New Jersey. Residents who are concerned about the safety of our drinking water should urge Gov. Chris Christie to sign this bill into law.

Eddie Konczal, Monroe Twp.