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Hydraulic Fracturing in the Southern Tier of New York
Many New York State residents are talking about fracturing. Fracturing is “a process in which fractures in rocks below the earth's surface are opened and widened by injecting chemicals and liquids at high pressure: used especially to extract natural gas or oil” (www.dictionary.com). The compounds that are injected into the ground are; acid, antibacterial agent, breaker, clay stabilizer, corrosion inhibitor, crosslinker, friction reducer, gelling agent, iron control, pH adjusting agent, scale inhibitor, and surfactant. Those elements make up 2%. Sand mixed with water make up 98%.
The elements that make up the 2% are what have many people debating. They are very concerned with those elements creeping into the ground water and making people ill. It is definitely a matter of weighing the pros with the cons. Some say that no matter how the scales tip, the cons are too scary to take the chance. Yet, others say that the benefits to the economy are worth the risk.
In a poll conducted by Siena College in Loudonville, NY New York State residents were almost evenly divided on the issue. 40 percent of voters were in favor and 40 percent were in opposition while 20 percent were undecided. This poll was released on February 4, 2013. It does seem that those who oppose fracking are more adamant on their stance then the competition. The advocates of fracking are only out to strengthen the economy not to harm the community. But the groups that are against it are very concerned with future health conditions of anyone who may be affected by the groundwater that may be tainted.
Our government officials are being put in a difficult position. How do you make both sides of the debate happy? Surely they want safety for their own families. But they also want the place they call home to be a place their children will want to stay. They want it to be a place that they will be able to stay.
There are so many children that grow up here, graduate here and go to college here but must leave here. They just cannot make a living here. It is tough to find a job and keep it for the long term.
We have a debate that crosses into different categories. New York is considering fracking as a possible alternative to provide a source of fuel. But it may also produce jobs to bolster our economy. It is definitely a difficult debate.
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