Many of the the good folks in Blackville, N.B. seem to believe that shale gas will help bring jobs to their area and to help keep their young people from migrating out to the oil patch in Alberta and points beyond.... I recently read a story in the Telegraph Journal which had a short interview with a resident of Blackville and she was completely convinced that shale gas is the magic bullet to solve the areas economic problems....
I would invite any shale gas proponent to read this article by American Economist, Helene Jorgensen, based on the real data collected from heavily shale gas developed areas in the Eastern United States. There is no fear mongering in the article, simply facts:
http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/cepr-blog/fracking-nonsense-the-job-myth-of-gas-drilling
Here's the wiki link on hydraulic fracturing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing
There are many interesting facts on what this process is and one thing that becomes very apparent very quickly is it involves the use of massive quantities of water which is instantly transformed into toxic waste.... where does this massive amount of water come from in a drought year like 2012? Where does this toxic waste go? Do people rely on well water in their homes? Is clean air important to them?
I'm convinced that anyone who has taken the time to investigate what shale gas development brings with it will no longer be so enthusiastic to see it in their backyards... I might someday support shale gas development but not until a sustainable and responsible method of extraction is developed... Currently, economics drive shale gas extraction policy - not what is best for the environment...
Our laws and policies have been heavily influenced by lobbyists from big gas and oil who are concerned with only one thing -- their bottom line.
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