6-22-2012
Environment New Jersey
In the latest state action against fracking, the New Jersey
Assembly approved a measure to ban the processing of fracking wastewater.
Environment New Jersey and its allies stepped up efforts to build support for
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner’s bill after learning that fracking waste had
already been shipped to New Jersey and discharged into the Delaware via a
DuPont facility in Salem County. Legislators approved the bill (A575) by a
veto-proof majority of 56-19.
“Toxic waste from fracking should not be allowed anywhere
near New Jersey’s waterways,” said Doug O’Malley, interim director of
Environment New Jersey. “The New Jersey Assembly chose drinking water over gas
drillers today.”
Fracking is a gas drilling technique that involves pumping a
mix of chemicals, sand and water down a well at such high pressure that it
cracks open gas-bearing rock formations. When the process is complete,
wastewater–often laced with toxics like benzene, heavy metals and even
radioactive material-flows back to the surface. Fracking wastewater has
contaminated drinking water sources on numerous occasions in other states.
The gas drilling boom in Pennsylvania has already produced
more than 1.3 billion gallons of contaminated wastewater, and drilling
operators have been increasingly sending that wastewater to surrounding states.
In New Jersey DuPont has processed the waste at a facility which discharges
into the Delaware River.
“Fracking is the latest source of toxic waste,” said
O’Malley. “That is the last thing New Jersey needs.”
Environment New Jersey cited documented cases of fracking
waste polluting water and causing other problems:
In Pennsylvania, after fracking wastewater was discharged
from sewage treatment plants into the Monongahela River, the state advised
325,000 people in and around Pittsburgh not to use their tap water for more
than a week.
In New Mexico, state records show drilling waste has
contaminated groundwater at nearly 400 different sites.
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BAN IT! The liability is enormous and sadly someday, some community, somewhere, will drink the toxic kool-aid. Then what? Will we say: 'We told you so?" Who will be liable for the catastrophe? We'd bet anything that the oil and gas industry will be completely indemnified over a disaster like this.
This industry is sick!
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