New Jersey On Track To Be First State to Ban Fracking

New Jersey On Track To Be First State to Ban Fracking

By Dan DeBaun
This Wednesday, June 29th, the NJ state legislator passed a bill that would ban fracking across the state. While many states and citizens have been fighting this gas drilling practice for some years now, NJ is on track to be the first state that would ban it outright.

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Senator Bob Gordon says it best “Today, New Jersey sent a strong message to surrounding states and to the nation that a ban on fracking is necessary to protect public health and preserve our natural resources. Any benefits of gas production simply do not justify the many potential dangers associated with fracking such as pollution of our lakes, streams and drinking water supplies and the release of airborne pollutants. We should not wait until our natural resources are threatened or destroyed to act. The time to ban fracking in New Jersey is now.” Opponents to fracking are heralding this as a tide turning move that will hopefully accelerate a clamp down on an industry that has been putting natural gas profits first and environmental impacts second. This is assuming NJ governer Chris Christie signs the bill into law, which is where it now lies. Mind you, the energy companies are still yet to be required to disclose the chemicals contained in the fracking fluid they use for drilling. They claim it as a trade secret and thus are protected from providing any details. And let's not forget the small issue about these energy companies being exempt from seven major federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act. As they say, one step at a time, and this is shaping up to be one powerful step for controlling the practice of fracking and thus protecting our waterways and environment from the pollution that this practice causes.
Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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  • Avatar of John Jankas John Jankas 2011-09-14 19:32:29

    With my background I must say that senator Bob Gordon should do more reading on this subject. To use the terms fracking fluid used for Drilling is a joke. So how can you pass a bill if you do not understand the operation. As for the chemicals used just ask for the MSDS sheets and they say everything about the chemicals. Master Rod was mostly on the mark. But there is a ban on whaling. Fracking starting with Black Power. Nitro-G, Dynamite, many types of explosives were used. And are used even today. Depending on the formation the fluid can be acid(HCL), water with gelling agents and a host of others. Explosive fracting been going on for 120+_ years and using frac fluids for 75+ years. Were have you been.

  • Avatar of rrdonovan rrdonovan 2011-07-22 04:43:48

    Do you know what fracking is? Only fools think it to be harmful. I worked for Halliburton for a while. I got transferred to the Fracking Department. What we did there was connect the well head using steel pipes to a large manifold. About 5-10 frack trucks connect to the manifold. The trucks also connect to a several large tanks of water. The day before fracking, those tanks of water are treated with hundreds of bags of biodegradable material. I believe this to be soy, or corn powder. It was really gooey once mixed with water. On frack day, those tanks of gel and sand were then pumped into the well. As it traveled down the well, the pressure of so much gel would open up fissures where the gas pockets were. The sand would then pack itself in and keep those fissures open causing increased gas flow. As for the gel, it would break down into water in a matter of days leaving a much higher producing gas well. Typical politicians. Not a brain between any of them. Especially in New Jersey. What, are they going to do next, ban whaling?

    Master Rod

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  • Avatar of Bennett Towry Bennett Towry 2011-07-12 13:13:09

    Thank you for the update. It's refreshing to hear what I would consider "Good" news for once.

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