Hydrofracturing is a process used to extract natural gas from previously impermeable shale. Also known as Hydraulic fracturing the process utilizes millions of gallons of water, sand, and chemicals injected at high pressure into horizontally drilled wells, some as far as 10,000 feet below the surface.
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In an effort to provide a community forum where divergent and frequently noisy views can be aired, Breathing has solicited articles from property owners who are considering signing natural gas leases or who, after months of deliberation, have completed the signing. There have been difficulties and I had to decide whether or not to publish an anonymous post. In the end, I decided a wide-ranging discussion of the issues facing our communities is more critical than identifying our author who fears for her job if her name is released. I hope her obvious concern for the land and our cultures is sufficient to set minds at ease. She’s known to me. She’s not a figment. She’s not greedy and she’s not oblivious to the dangers posed by drilling – and cited to regularly by Breathing. Hers is an important voice that sheds light — whether or not you agree with her conclusions.
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