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Article updated: 3/15/2013 11:22 AM

University proposes fracking on its own land

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Wilson Mountain in the Cumberland Forest, a state-owned research area used by the University of Tennessee. The university wants to allow hydraulic fracturing drilling on the property to fund research into the environmental impacts of the drilling.

Associated Press

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Dr. William "Bill" Brown, dean of University of Tennessee AgResearch. The university wants to allow hydraulic fracturing drilling for natural gas on state-owned property to fund research into the environmental impacts of such drilling. Brown says the university has the facilities and faculty to scientifically investigate the questions surrounding natural gas drilling.

Associated Press

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The University of Tennessee wants to allow hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas on a state-owned tract of rolling woodland, raising the hackles of environmentalists who question its stated goal of raising funds to research the environmental impact of such drilling. The university is requesting permission from the state to allow an outside company to drill on about 8,000 acres of mature woodlands — all while performing research on the effects on water quality, air quality and ground impacts.