Fracking is a serious issue that many just seem to overlook. Fracking is the process of initiating a fracture in a rock layer, by means of a pressurized fluid, in order to release natural gas, or other substances for extraction. A problem with fracking that I had no clue about is the issue of abandoned wells. There are about 8,500 abandoned wells across Pennsylvania. According to fracktracker, "unplugged wells release amounts of oil, gas, condensate, or brine, which can kill vegetation, damage fragile riparian ecosystems, and contaminate aquifers." they can also cause injury due to the sudden release of pressure. They also have the possibility of causing sinkholes because of unstable geologic formations. The government is doing something about this; however it does not mean they are doing it right. "A single $25,000 bond currently is the only insurance that an operator will plug all of their wells statewide, once they are no longer in production. In most cases, that is probably adequate, since there are non-monetary incentives for the operator to stay in good graces with the DEP. However, there are numerous smaller operators with wells still in production, including some residents who have their own private wells."(fracktracker.com) you can find a lot of YouTube videos about fracking and how it is being addressed, however the issue of what happens after the well is not in use anymore is a issue that needs to be paid more attention to. Below are some videos that explain more about fracking and the problems with it. Fracking is dangerous, this is clear; it is dangerous when it is active, or inactive and abandoned. Just because the well is abandoned, does not mean the dangerous issues are abandoned as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNAbMXnfXWYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPe9aQwKoKs
Fracking is a serious problem and there are many smaller outlets that report information on the subject. Yet, the issue of real danger seems to be absent from the mainstream media. Were you able to find any high profile officials speaking out against hydraulic fracturing? What do you think can be done to raise awareness about the issue among the general population?
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