We're gearing up to do some reporting about the macro and microeconomic effects of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. However, our colleagues at NPR and member stations in shale regions have already been doing fantastic reporting about hydraulic fracturing, so we thought we'd share some of their work.
Fresh Air had filmmaker Josh Fox on back in June to discuss his film "Gasland." He was prompted to travel the shale to find out how drilling has gone down in other communities when the gas company came calling, with a $100,000 lease offer. What Fox found in some communities was frightening: ignitable drinking water and sick humans and animals.
Radio Times, also at WHYY in Philadelphia hosted a debate between Kate Sindig, of the Natural Resource Defense Council, and Terry Engelder, a Pennsylvania State geologist. They talk about the potential environmental impacts versus the potential economic impacts - something we're following very closely.
NPR put together a great map of the various shale regions in the United States, to compare current natural gas extraction efforts with potential hydrofracturing sites.
From elsewhere around the web: there's been some movement about an upcoming federal hearing about fracking (remember it was moved, and then postponed)
WSKG's Innovation Trail reporter, Emma Jacobs, covered Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's visit to Ithaca yesterday, where he was met by protests from anti-fracking folks.
And finally, we had to share something that really captures the anti-fracking zeitgeist. A couple of folks with the Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes composed this song, "Let's Be Careful," to the tune of "Oh Susannah." Be careful indeed - it's an ear worm.
