For years now, we have been told by various environmental groups that hydrofracking to extract natural gas and petroleum is bad. We have been told repeatedly that fracking will contaminate ground water even though there is not a single instance in the USA where this has happened. We have been told that fracking will contaminate ground water even though the Obama EPA has on three occasions investigated supposed contamination and found that there was no connection between fracking and water pollution. We have been told that fracking causes methane leaks, even though the amount of methane which enters the atmosphere in connection with natural gas production is proportional to the number of well heads and fracking allows for fewer of them. So, the evidence is that fracking causes no problems and actually reduces some, but the environmentalists persist in their objections nevertheless.
Now, there is a proposal for the University of Tennessee to monitor a series of gas wells completed with fracking technology. The review by the university researchers will be intensive and will cover the project from start to finish. This study ought to provide detailed evidence that should prove or disprove the allegations of the environmentalists once and for all.
So what is the response of the environmental groups? In short, they are screaming "Hell NO!!!" And what is their objection? Are they concerned because a scientific study will prove that fracking is perfectly safe and unobjectionable? They say not. No, they have an "ethical" problem. You see the land where the drilling will take place is owned by the University of Tennessee. That means that any revenue from the gas recovered will be used to pay for the scientific review of the drilling and completion process. Somehow, that is now considered unethical by these gurus.
The objection is almost comical. Remember the issue being studied is fracking, something that must be completed before any gas is produced. No matter where these researchers review the fracking process, the end result will be a well that produces gas. When the well is on U Tenn land, however, the researchers will have much more say in making sure that they have full and fair access to every aspect of the fracking process; they will represent the landowner. Once the well is complete, the university will get a new stream of revenue as the gas is sold, but that will hardly make a difference to the researchers. Their work will be completed before the gas ever goes to market, and that will be true whether or not the fracking process does or does not cause pollution.
The real truth is that the environmentalists do not want a pristine study of fracking. They know that it is completely safe. Their only goal is to stop production of all hydrocarbons in order to force the country to switch to undependable and expensive solar or wind power.
Now, there is a proposal for the University of Tennessee to monitor a series of gas wells completed with fracking technology. The review by the university researchers will be intensive and will cover the project from start to finish. This study ought to provide detailed evidence that should prove or disprove the allegations of the environmentalists once and for all.
So what is the response of the environmental groups? In short, they are screaming "Hell NO!!!" And what is their objection? Are they concerned because a scientific study will prove that fracking is perfectly safe and unobjectionable? They say not. No, they have an "ethical" problem. You see the land where the drilling will take place is owned by the University of Tennessee. That means that any revenue from the gas recovered will be used to pay for the scientific review of the drilling and completion process. Somehow, that is now considered unethical by these gurus.
The objection is almost comical. Remember the issue being studied is fracking, something that must be completed before any gas is produced. No matter where these researchers review the fracking process, the end result will be a well that produces gas. When the well is on U Tenn land, however, the researchers will have much more say in making sure that they have full and fair access to every aspect of the fracking process; they will represent the landowner. Once the well is complete, the university will get a new stream of revenue as the gas is sold, but that will hardly make a difference to the researchers. Their work will be completed before the gas ever goes to market, and that will be true whether or not the fracking process does or does not cause pollution.
The real truth is that the environmentalists do not want a pristine study of fracking. They know that it is completely safe. Their only goal is to stop production of all hydrocarbons in order to force the country to switch to undependable and expensive solar or wind power.
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