Clean Water Network to Sponsor Caucus on Hydraulic Fracturing Pollution
Hydraulic fracturing is a method used to extract natural gas (or oil) by drilling vertical and horizontal cracks and injecting fracturing fluids (a mixture of water and various chemicals) under high pressure underground. Each well pad requires millions of gallons of water and the fluids recovered from a well pad contain not only the fracturing chemicals but also heavy metals, hydrocarbons and radioactive materials naturally present underground. Numerous cases of chemical spills and contamination of ground and surface waters have been reported in communities where hydraulic fracturing is occurring. While drilling technology and the use of sophisticated hydraulic fracturing processes to extract natural gas from sources such as coalbed methane and shale gas formations have advanced greatly over the past decade, the knowledge of how these processes might affect water resources have not kept pace.
This small hands on caucus will explore the issues relating to the hydraulic fracturing process. We have chosen Little Rock. Arkansas as the location since it is situated in close proximity to the Fayetteville Shale formation which extends to the Mississippi River Basin. The caucus will feature experts from across the country and will also include robust discussion and Q & A sessions amongst regional groups. Stay tuned for more information including logistics and registration details.
The registration fee for this event is $75 for Clean Water Network members and $110 for non-Clean Water Network members. The fee can be paid on PayPal HERE. Click HERE for the draft agenda.