Concerned residents to ask Peru Town Board to pass anti-fracking resolution
To Peru Residents,Saturday, May 26, 2012
Subject: Fracking in the Town of Peru
Recently, a group Peru’s residents gathered and the subject of “Fracking” for natural gas was discussed. Richard Schwartz, who has researched into the matter, presented written document pointing out many of the serious ramifications that can result from fracking. It was decided that a letter should be submitted to the Peru Town Council requesting that a resolution be passed forbidding fracking in the Town of Peru. The letter will be submitted at the next Town Council Meeting, which will be on May 30th, 2012 at 7:00PM, at the Peru Town hall.
We have wonderful community and we certainly do not need to subject it to the long-range damage that fracking can cause. Please plan on attending the Town Meeting on May 30th, to show of your support of “No Fracking In Peru.”
Your help is needed, and the time is now.
Respectfully,
Edward Schiffler , Peru Resident
The following is a portion of Richard Schwartz’s informative letter.
In many states in the U.S and in the provinces of Canada there is extensive drilling for natural gas utilizing the process of “fracking.” (hydraulic fracturing). In this process a deep well is drilled into shale rock lying thousands of feet below the surface. The shale is broken up and the released gas is forced to the surface by the injection of millions of gallons of chemical-laden water. There it is transported usually by pipeline to where it will be utilized. The water is either re-used or disposed of in a questionable manner. The process has become very controversial for the following allegations:
• Some methane and treated water has escaped into streams and aquifers creating drinking water problems for humans and livestock.
• The process has been linked with the triggering of earthquakes up to a magnitude 4,0 in some regions of the operation.
• The truck and equipment traffic has not only been destructive of roads to and from the sites, but also the consequent noise has been disruptive of habitation and farming activity in the regions.
• The chemically-laden water cannot be disposed of by conventional treatment plants or discharged anywhere without potential hazards or animal and plant life.
• The firms doing this have not released to the public what chemicals are in the water that is used. However, it is known that several are toxic to animals and humans.
• Release of radioactive material from the buried rock has been reported.
• Other extractive operations (e.g. mining) resulting in local contamination have definitely been linked in increased incidence of cancer by local residents.
Because of this, many municipalities and the State of Vermont have passed ordinances forbidding fracking in their territories. Other states have debated the issue but have reached no consensus. The very powerful fossil fuel industries have invested millions of dollars into this activity vigorously fighting any restrictions and citing the abundance of gas deposits accessible by this technique, the cleanliness of natural gas compared to coal or oil-based fuels, and the generation of jobs for many workers in this age of unemployment. Although the Adirondack region has not been identified as a potential field for drilling for gas, a symbolic gesture by governmental entities of forbidding it in their regions would strengthen the move by others in the state, in the country and in Canada to bring this process under strict control.
Posted: May 26th, 2012 under Environmental News, General News.