UM-Fracking Study: Hydraulic Fracturing - Technical Reports and Integrated Assessment Comments

I just submitted the following comment:

In short: Fracking is unnecessary risk taking for short term profiteers neglecting once more the precautionary principle that we humans owe to the other creatures of this planet (and to our own species).

Renewable energy from wind and the sun is doable now, especially if only 10% of the resources pumped into oil and gas exploration and bio fuels would go to the only long-term sustainable energy sources. Depending on the political will, all energy needs of 7 billion people on this planet could be satisfied in 5-30 years (research by Mark Z. Jacobson and Mark A. Delucchi, Stanford). There is absolutely no reason to take the high risks of fracking in the name of energy safety. There is evidence of massive air pollution (Colborn T, Schultz K, Herrick L, and Kwiatkowski C. 2012 (in press), HOWARTH, R., R. SANTORO, AND A. INGRAFFEA. 2012. Venting and leaking of methane from shale gas development: response to Cathles et al. Climatic Change 113:537-549.). An exploratory study of air quality near natural gas operations. Hum Ecol Risk Assess. ), and water pollution (BAMBERGER, M., AND R. E. OSWALD. 2012. Impacts of gas drilling on human and animal health. New Solut 22:51-77., PERRY, S. L. 2012. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES: Addressing the Societal Costs of Unconventional Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: A Framework for Evaluating Short-Term, Future, and Cumulative Risks and Uncertainties of Hydrofracking. Environmental Practice 14:352-365.) in operations recovering shale oil and gas. If need be under the current political situation with low momentum to fully switch to renewable energy from wind and sun, there is enough oil and gas from conventional drilling operations that are less risky and use much better established technology. The only reasons why this no-brainer may not go forward is the protectionism of the powerful oil and gas lobby - there is not real valid argument against such a policy change!

NEW oil well is being drilled on Country club Road as of this morning; two water wells were drilled sometime in late July or in August. Now full steam ahead.

Victoria Powell reports: Location is just west of driveway toward Promedica Eye/Sports Medicine/Rehab./Dr. Lansky's office......on Country Club Road....a short skip, and a jump from Lake Adrian.