Fracking (horizontal hydraulic fracturing) is a way to release natural gas from shale, located thousands of feet below the Earth’s surface. The Fracking process can be dangerous to ground water, affect human health and increase greenhouse gas effect through the release of methane gas.
Fracking (horizontal hydraulic fracturing) is a way to release natural gas from shale.
Companies engaged in fracking have resisted disclosure of the contents of the fracking fluid, preferring to focus on the advantage of energy independence for USA and increased employment as a result of fracking.
Natural gas is being fracked in many areas of our country. Fuel companies tout the economic advantages, jobs and energy independence for the country. (Actually, there is a glut of natural gas in the US at present; so much of this fracked gas is for export.) The greatest danger is contamination of our water supply. A young boy’s poster read at a recent protest:
“I can live without gas, but not without water.”
There are also health effects reported by those living near frack wells. The amount of water for each well (between 2 and 5 million gallons of fresh water per well) reduces the supply of potable water as it becomes contaminated with the fracking chemicals. There is no proven method for treating the waste water. It is transported across state lines and used in winter as a de-icer (!) for roads. Many states accepted fracking before knowing the health hazards. New York State is under a 6 year moratorium banning fracking. .
The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Earth Committee has focused on the dangers of fracking for the past several years, educating members, associates and colleagues about the drawbacks of this process. Our sisters live in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, all states where fracking is a pressing issue.
Each day, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart say this prayer to keep our waters clean and free from fracking:
“Heart of Jesus, Fount of life and holiness, satisfy our thirst for living water.”
Please join us in this prayer.