Residents learn about fracking in Illinois
On Sept. 13, local residents attended a presentation sponsored by the Northwest Cook County Group of the Sierra Club on the controversial natural gas extraction process of hydraulic fracturing or more commonly referred to as fracking. The presentation, titled Fracking in the Heartland, was given by Cindy Skrukrud of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter where she acts as a clean water advocate and conservationist.
The information was timely as this process is beginning to enter southern Illinois with land leases being obtained by developers and exploratory wells being built. A controversial 300 acre sand mine bordering Starved Rock State Park is planned to support this industry and has received county board approval. This mine has divided the local community with concerns over reduced tourism and its environmental impact versus the benefit of creating less than 40 new jobs. Also, state legislation is pending to introduce more research and safeguards directed at providing greater protection of the public's health and safety.
Ms. Skrukrud gave a comprehensive overview of the complex process. Fracking is a production technique that involves the injection of millions of gallons of water, plus chemicals and sand, deep underground at very high pressure in order to create fractures in the underlying geology to allow natural gas to escape. The process requires much land and water use as well as major construction that results in well pads and supporting structures. These operations operate round the clock and require huge increases in large truck traffic. Ms. Skrukrud stated these formerly peaceful and quiet communities encounter drastic lifestyle changes. She listed the major concerns as the huge sources of water needed, the secrecy over the chemicals being used although information is gradually surfacing about what these chemical are and many are known to be toxic and carcinogenic. Adding to these concerns is that the industry has received exemptions from the safeguards contained in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Other issues include the disposal of the wastewater that is generated that includes these undisclosed chemicals as well as other chemicals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic that had been trapped in the shale. Air quality has also been shown to be effected as well as release of methane into the atmosphere which is a very potent greenhouse gas.
The presentation ended with a call to action for citizens to contact their local state representatives and senators to support legislation that would introduce a moratorium on the fracking process until more research is conducted, the impacts are fully understood, and proper safeguards can be identified and implemented. For more information visit the Sierra Club national and state websites (www.sierraclub.org, www.illinois.sierraclub.org) and their Beyond Natural Gas campaign.