Product News and Recalls

Spanish government to ban fracking

The Spanish parliament is set to enact a regional ban on the method of natural gas extraction known as “hydraulic fracturing” or “fracking,” over environmental concerns.

According to Bloomberg, the ban will be enacted in the gas-rich northern Cantabria region, which has the potential to yield an estimated $100 million in exploration projects. Ultimately, though, the Spanish lawmakers determined that the environmental risks weren’t worth it.

Fracking involves pumping millions of gallons of water underground to break up subterranean shale formations and release natural gas. But the fracking water contains toxic chemicals, including the carcinogen benzene, which environmentalists caution could contaminate drinking water supplies.

The Bloomberg story cites a 2011 European Parliament study, which concluded that underground water sources can be contaminated due to uncontrollable gas flows and fracking fluid spillovers.

Fracking is also used in the United States, including along the Marcellus Shale — a gas-rich underground rock formation that also extends into New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.

The Bloomberg report says a similar ban was instituted across the border in France because of environmental concerns.

Lopez McHugh is investigating injuries related to natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserve. If you have significant injuries, contact a Lopez McHugh attorney for a free evaluation.

See the story here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-04/spain-s-first-fracking-ban-coming-to-richest-shale-region.html