An editorial in the Newark Star-Ledger calls for Gov. Chris Christie to sign into law a bill that passed in the New Jersey legislature, banning the state from treating and disposing of the toxic waste produced by the natural gas extraction process called “hydraulic fracturing,” or “fracking.”
Christie signed a one-year ban on fracking in New Jersey last summer, buying time until the federal Environmental Protection Agency completes two studies.
The editorial points out that the ban is largely symbolic, since no natural gas drilling is going on in New Jersey, but it put Pennsylvania on notice.
“We don’t have much fracking potential, but we are exposed to danger from both underground contamination nearby that floats into our waters, including the Delaware River Basin, and from disposal of wastewater, which this bill addresses,” the editorial says.
Fracking involves injecting a mixture of water and chemicals deep into the ground, causing shale rock formations to fracture and release natural gas. It’s controversial because the water used in the process contains toxic chemicals, including the carcinogen benzene, raising concerns of contaminated water supplies.
The method is used in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region, which the editorial says has set off a “gold rush-like pace among drillers.”
The Star-Ledger cites an estimate from green advocacy group Environment New Jersey that more than 1.3 billion gallons of contaminated wastewater has already been produced in Pennsylvania. And some drillers have already sent toxic waste byproducts to New Jersey for treatment and disposal.
“That should come to a halt,” the newspaper says. “We want and deserve more facts about fracking and its impact on the environment.”
Lopez McHugh is investigating Marcellus Shale injuries. If you have significant injuries, contact a Lopez McHugh attorney for a free evaluation.
See the editorial here:
https://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/07/fracking_caution_christie_shou.html
