How Fracking Can Destroy Your Well

First of all, just what is fracking? It is commonly referred to as “horizontal hydrofracking” or just “fracking,” deep-shale natural gas drilling uses high-pressure injection of water, sand, and chemicals to release the trapped gas. Now we all know that natural gas is environmentally friendly. But at what cost?

Chemicals used in the process are kept secret from the public, medical professionals, and even regulators, because fracking is exempt from key provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Every time a gas well is fracked, 4 to 9 million gallons of water are injected into the ground.

When the fractures creating by fracking intersect with existing cracks in the ground, chemicals and gas can “catch a ride” on underground streams, and wind up contaminating drinking water sources. In places affected by fracking, many residents have become sick from dangerous levels of volatile organic compounds, chemicals, and methane gas in their water. Methane gas is also responsible for the phenomenon of flammable tap water, and has even caused houses and water wells to explode.

Since this combination is really not good for the shortage of potable water across the world, there should be some other way to extract natural gas. Think about it. If you pump all of the above into the underground, then whatever damage has occurred, it is forever.

I know that in Texas, this is widespread. Just around where I live, there are approximately 15 natural gas wells that are monitored daily. Many water wells that current residents close to have been fractured due to this process. The drilling companies have had to hire water drillers to either fix the well or drill another one. Hmmmm, makes you think whether or not the water is good or not after that.

In the 121-page draft report released by the EPA said that the contamination near the town of Pavillion, Wyo., had most likely seeped up from gas wells and contained at least 10 compounds known to be used in frack fluids.

Some of the findings in the report also directly contradict longstanding arguments by the drilling industry for why the fracking process is safe: that hydrologic pressure would naturally force fluids down, not up; that deep geologic layers provide a watertight barrier preventing the movement of chemicals towards the surface; and that the problems with the cement and steel barriers around gas wells aren’t connected to fracking.

Finally, the EPA is doing what it is supposed to do. Exposing the drilling industry nasty little secret.

What can you do? Take action today by signing the petition to tell President Obama to ban this now.

Fracking … as the green future unfolds.

Wind Turbines

The tallest wind tower in America — 345 feet — is in Scurry County,
Texas at Enel North Americas Snyder Wind Project. By comparison, the
Statue of Liberty is 305 feet.

The tips of a 300 foot diameter wing spread are moving at about 100 mph.
The blades revolve about 21 times per minute.

Who taps the wind?

Germany leads all nations in production of wind power. It also has a huge
investment in solar power. Both technologies are heavily boosted by tax
incentives.

Below are the World Wind Energy Association’s rankings of wind power by
megawatts installed:

Germany 22,247
United States 16,819
-Texas 4,356
- California 2,439
Spain 15,145
India 7,850
China 5,899

Wind through the home:

All homes need adequate ventilation. Without it, contaminants such as
formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), unpleasant orders can
linger, radon gas can accumulate, and excess moisture will cause mold
growth.

In the past most homes got adequate ventilation from the natural air moving
through the unsealed windows and doors, etc. But with improved housing
technology, uncontrolled ventilation has been drastically reduced to such
an airtight degree that it’s necessary to compensate by installing a whole
house ventilation system. You may remember attic fans, same thing, just
new and improved.

Most applicable in cold climates during the summer. Not advisable in warmer
climates with humid summers because the fan can draw moist air into wall
cavities, where it may condense and cause moisture damage. However, even
in those locations, they can be run in the fall and early spring.

Whole house ventilation systems creates healthy home enviroments and are
extremely energy effiecient especially compared to air conditioning.