Last Friday’s “This American Life” podcast hit close to home with a fascinating report on the proposed fracking of the Marcellus shale, a giant rock formation under Pennsylvania. Back in 2007, Terry Engelder, a geologist at Penn State, discovered through a stunning calculation that there was 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas within the Marcellus shale that could be recovered through fracking (hydraulic fracturing).
This discovery could revolutionize the way we power our world and do wonders for our economy making energy cheaper, creating jobs in American, and replacing resources like coal and oil. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it is. Although these reserves of natural gas could mean more money and resources for our cash-strapped country, and especially Pennsylvania, another scientist, Conrad “Dan” Volz from the University of Pittsburg, calculated how many toxic chemicals could pollute the water supply through gas drilling and the results were not pretty.
The podcast features interviews from both Engelder and Volz and explores the benefits and the troubling consequences of gas drilling. It also discusses the brutal PR war surrounding the fracking issue between universities, politicians, and industries. One of the more troubling aspects of this story centers on Mt. Pleasant, PA where a gas exploration company called Range Resources has leased 95% of the land in the township. This has led to a long and controversial battle between Mt. Pleasant and Range regarding zoning disputes, publicity, and public health.
We at Aroundphilly really believe this is an important issue you should know about because it affects us all, and it will most likely have drastic consequences. The fracking debate will not end any time soon, so please, listen to the podcast and decide for yourself.
Also be sure to see the documentary Gasland to find out more on this important issue.
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Diana Allinger
