[crusty old prospector]

Indeed. There are serious questions regarding the state of this technology, and until it can be shown to be safe, it’s use should be limited. You can’t unring the bell.

What is your evidence for this, besides environmental wacko talking points?

[stormer]

I guess when you have to ventilate your house while taking a shower and the company doing the operation is supplying you with drinking water I’m going to jump to a few conclusions.

[cripplecreek]

Great Lakes Directional Drilling Ban Should Be Lifted

State geologists estimate that approximately 30 wells could be directionally drilled under the Great Lakes. Directional drilling, sometimes referred to as slant drilling, is performed at an angle, allowing placement of the well head onshore rather than on a drilling platform in the lake. While director of the Department of Environmental Quality in 1996, I was approached by companies interested in exploring for oil and gas under the Great Lakes. I asked the Michigan Environmental Science Board (a group of scientists, mostly from universities, with environmental and natural resource expertise) to study whether directional drilling under the Great Lakes posed any threat to natural resources.

The Board concluded: "[T]here is little to no risk of contamination to the Great Lakes bottom or waters through releases directly above the bottom hole portion of directionally drilled wells." The Board went on to say: "There is, however, a small risk of contamination at the well head." The board made recommendations on steps that could be taken to mitigate any impact to the Great Lakes from the well head, including locating the wells at least 1,000 feet from the shoreline and implementing proper waste disposal measures. Before the ban, eight wells had been directionally drilled under the Great Lakes without environmental harm.

Remember kids, we need your help to lift this idiotic ban so be sure to contact your congressman and tell them to lift the Great Lakes Directional drilling ban.