That North Dakota is experiencing an energy boom is almost an understatement. $$$ signs float in the air, grow on trees, and spread themselves throughout the country on the wings of birds. All one needs to do is pluck his share and stuff it into his pocket. But another story begins to emerge of negative aspects affecting people, too. Except for the landowners collecting a lease payment, not too many people are excited about the wind farms sprouting like weeds throughout the countryside. Twenty coal trains per day roaring through our cities blocking traffic at crossings and blowing their whistles don't endear themselves to the people's peace. Heavy truck traffic pounding the rural roads to dusty, sometimes muddy destruction makes the locals swear. Now the process of "fracking"is attracting attention. Just what is that stuff the oilmen pump underground to release the treasure, and what are the long-term dangers?
When I attended public school in my hometown a long-handled water pump behind a gas station across the street beckoned us to quench our thirst after a long noon hour of playing ball. It tasted oily, but we drank it anyway. The business went through many owners and it was always thought that much of the oil they changed in cars got dumped into a hole.
The moneymen complain about the Environmental Protection Agency and how it hinders their development of various enterprises around the country. If what they are doing does not harm the environment then maybe they shouldn't be criticizing the work done by that agency. The front page of the Sunday Bismarck Tribune headlined several articles: 1.Some companies disclose fracking recipe . . . 2.Helms expects EPA action to interrupt drilling momentum . . . 3.Bakken Watch flip side to fracking.
The last headline may be the one that keeps everyone honest. A lady activist in Bismarck, Kris Kitko, maintains a web site called www.bakkenwatch.org. The Tribune reported that "Kitko said the state was wrong to allocate $1 million to legally fend off a move by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate fracking under the Safe Drinking Water Act." She was quoted as saying, "We're appalled that the state would rather spend that money to keep the EPA out...If it's safe, what are they afraid of?"
I suspect we will be hearing much more from the watchdogs.
When I attended public school in my hometown a long-handled water pump behind a gas station across the street beckoned us to quench our thirst after a long noon hour of playing ball. It tasted oily, but we drank it anyway. The business went through many owners and it was always thought that much of the oil they changed in cars got dumped into a hole.
The moneymen complain about the Environmental Protection Agency and how it hinders their development of various enterprises around the country. If what they are doing does not harm the environment then maybe they shouldn't be criticizing the work done by that agency. The front page of the Sunday Bismarck Tribune headlined several articles: 1.Some companies disclose fracking recipe . . . 2.Helms expects EPA action to interrupt drilling momentum . . . 3.Bakken Watch flip side to fracking.
The last headline may be the one that keeps everyone honest. A lady activist in Bismarck, Kris Kitko, maintains a web site called www.bakkenwatch.org. The Tribune reported that "Kitko said the state was wrong to allocate $1 million to legally fend off a move by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate fracking under the Safe Drinking Water Act." She was quoted as saying, "We're appalled that the state would rather spend that money to keep the EPA out...If it's safe, what are they afraid of?"
I suspect we will be hearing much more from the watchdogs.
