http://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/IPAA_comm/attach/GasLandDebunked.pdf
PENNSYLVANIA: “There has never been any evidence of fracking ever
causing direct contamination of fresh groundwater in Pennsylvania or
anywhere else.” (PA DEP’s Scott Perry, Scranton Times-Tribune, 4/2/10)
NEW YORK: “I think is clear that when put into the proper
context and perspective, the reported information shows that
the incidence of spills and other pollution events at modern
naturlal gas well sites is exceedingly low …” (Alexander B.
“Pete” Grannis, commissioner of NY DEC, 12/30/09)
TEXAS: “Though hydraulic fracturing has been used for over 50
years in Texas, our records do not indicate a single documented
contamination case associated with hydraulic fracturing.”
(Texas Railroad Commission’s Victor Carrillo, 5/29/2009)
OHIO: “After 25 years of investigating citizen complaints of
contamination, [our] geologists have not documented a single
incident involving contamination of ground water attributed to
hydraulic fracturing.” (Scott Kell, deputy chief of Ohio DNR, 5/27/09)
NEW MEXICO: “[W]e have found no example of contamination of
usable water where the cause was claimed to be hydraulic fracturing.”
(Mark Fesmire, director of NM Oil Conservation Division, 5/29/09)
ALABAMA: “I can state with authority that there have been no
documented cases of drinking water contamination caused
by such hydraulic fracturing operations in our state.” (Barry H.
“Nick” Tew, Jr., Oil & Gas supervisor for Alabama, 5/27/09)
GasLand myth:
Deceased fish along a 35-mile stretch of creek
in western Pennsylvania attributed to natural
gas development.
Actual truth:
; EPA debunks the claim: “The situation in Dunkard Creek should
be considered a chronic exposure since chloride levels were
elevated above the criteria for long periods of time.” (EPA, 11/23/09)
Local media cite “glaring error”: “One glaring error in the film is the
suggestion that gas drilling led to the September fish kill at Dunkard
Creek in Greene County. That was determined to have been
caused by a golden algae bloom from mine drainage from a [mine]
discharge.” (Washington [Pa.] Observer-Reporter, 6/5/10)
GasLand myth:
GasLand myth:
Methane in the water in Fort Lupton, Colo. said
to be the result of natural gas development.
Actual truth:
Colorado debunks the claim: “Dissolved methane in well water
appears to be biogenic [naturally occurring] in origin. ...There
are no indications of oil & gas related impacts to water well.”
(COGCC, 9/30/08)
GasLand myth:
“Fracking chemicals are considered
proprietary.” (1:00:56)
Actual truth:
The entire universe of additives used in the fracturing process is
known to the public and the state agencies that represent them.
Not only do individual states mandate disclosure, the federal
government does as well. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) mandates this information be kept at every
wellsite, and made readily available to response and medical
personnel in case of an emergency.
GasLand myth:
“The fracking itself is like a mini-earthquake.
… In order to frack, you need some fracking
fluid — a mix of over 596 chemicals.” (6:50)
Actual truth:
The fracturing process uses a mixture of fluids comprised almost
entirely (99.5%) of water and sand. The remaining materials, used
to help deliver the water down the wellbore, are typically found and
used around the house. The average fracturing operation utilizes
fewer than 12 of these components, according to the Ground Water
Protection Council — not 596.
Over the course of its history, fracturing has not only been used to
increase the flow of oil and natural gas from existing wells, but also
to access things like water and geothermal energy. It’s even been
used by EPA to clean up Superfund sites.
GasLand myth:
“What I didn’t know was that the 2005 energy
bill pushed through Congress by Dick Cheney
exempts the oil and natural gas industries from
the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Safe
Drinking Water Act...and about a dozen other
environmental regulations.” (6:05)
Actual truth:
The oil and natural gas industry is regulated under every single
one of these federal laws — under provisions of each that are
relevant to its operations.
The 2005 energy bill was supported by nearly three-quarters of the
U.S. Senate, including then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. In the
U.S. House, 75 Democrats joined 200 Republicans in supporting
the final bill.
Scott Perry doesn't know much about the PA DEP or it's findings. The DEP found Cabot Oil-n-Gas Corp responsible for contamination of wells in Dimock, PA last year. The Dimock citizens have filed suit against Cabot in Fed court based on the PA DEP's findings.
Press Release: PA DEP Takes Aggressive Action Against Cabot Oil & Gas...
.PDF of the Consent Order and Agreement. Note Cabot's signature at the end. It's a matter of law and record that because of their insufficient well casings, Cabot is responsible for fouling the water around Dimock.