May 28, 2011

Sandra Steingraber on the Health Crisis Surrounding Natural Gas Extraction

Democracy Now reported, May 28: "The oil extraction process known as 'fracking' injects millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth in order to break up shale rock and release natural gas."

"About 30 states allow hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” the natural gas drilling process that injects millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth in order to break up shale rock and release natural gas. New York has imposed a partial moratorium on the drilling process pending the outcome of an environmental impact study this July. Yesterday, New York state lawmakers held a hearing on the health impacts of fracking, an issue that until now has received little media attention."

Here is the on-line interview with Sandra Steingraber, a biologist who testified at the hearing. (A text transcript of the interview is also available at this link.)

Sandra Steingraber has testified on natural gas hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) at state and federal hearings and before the European parliament. She is the author of several books that link the U.S. reliance on fossil fuels with environmental hazards and the climate crisis, including Living Downstream and her latest, Raising Elijah: Protecting Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis.