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.

The Tianjin Eco-City: The New Wave of Green Living

As a culture we have become obsessed green living, and rightfully so. The amount of waste we have produced through our industrialization has greatly impacted our world’s natural balance and is literally sucking the life out of the resources that we have at our disposal. Decisions such as paper or plastic are becoming more crucial and simply switching your light bulbs to incandescents isn’t enough anymore. (more…)

Water Tube™ Saves Water and Plants

Water Tube™ at work in Tropical Queensland

This is a pretty cool product that has been around since 2000 but I thought it needs to be brought out to the forefront. With the droughts going on around the world, this would certainly help plants, some crops and trees that are dying under the conditions they are currently under. (more…)

The EVOLUTE™ has world leading water efficiency, using less than 1 liter of water, whereas a conventional toilet uses approximately 6-12 liters per flush.

Recently, Australian inventors Tom Trainor and Mark Hutton came up with a product that they claim uses up to 90% less water than a regular toilet. The EVOLUTE is still in the development phase, and is not expected to be available to the public until 2012.

Not a bad idea, eh? I think these guys will be very successful!

…. as the green future unfolds.

While killer floods are ripping through Australia at the speed and power of a tsunami and gale force winter storms are immoblizing the rest of us in the northern hemisphere, seems like what we need is an Ark.

Well ok then … “The Ark”, designed by Russian architect Alexander Remizov, head of the Moscow-based architectural firm Remistudio, and his colleague Lev Britvin. Looking more like a giant slinky, the Ark is a biosphere concept that can endure extreme floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes. A fusion of science and architecture that won’t pollute the environment. Either on land or sea – via a variation of the honeycomb-style hull that can float. (more…)

Happy New Year Graphics provided by MUDTRAP.COM

Thank you all for coming by and visiting Forced Green during this past year.

May all of your hopes and dreams come to pass along with a prosperous 2011.  Of course, as always, remember to make it green!

…. as the green future unfolds.