1. Carcinogenic chemicals are pumped into the ground during fracking which the adverse effects are apparent during the movie with scenes of flammable water and sick people. Are the areas where fracking is prevalent safe to live in? How do you propose the oil companies should safely handle and dispose of the waste water?
2. In the movie Gasland, the director receives and offer from a gas company to buy his land for natural gas extraction. Do you think people would agree to leave their homes in exchange for a monetary reward? What sort of long term effects do you think this will have in areas rich in natural gas?
3. Despite the potential health and environmental effects, fracking has the potential to move the US ahead in the energy race and provide new jobs for Americans. Do you feel that the economic benefits of fracking outweigh the potential health effects of the communities it infringes on?
In response to your third question, I believe that this is an extremely important question that the government clearly decided upon without the input of its citizens. This is an issue that effects a large part of the country and it should be put to a vote. Dick Cheney was able to pass the laws that excluded the gas companies while he was in office with many people completely aware of the issue. It obviously has been a profitable venture and has allowed for a large supply of natural gas, but do the pros outweigh the cons? I'm not sure. I think that the general public should be educated on this subject and let them decide democratically.
ReplyDeleteIn high school I had a teacher who would always say on the topic of corruption, "Everyone has a price: you, me, and everyone else." She made it abundantly clear that for $5,000,000 her ethic and morales wouldn't matter.
ReplyDeleteAlluding to that philosophy, I believe people would give up their land for compensation. However, this will only happen at a high enough price. Those who aren't emotionally attached to their land will be the first to sell, followed by those who will need more compensation to make the switch. I would estimate that if gas companies were highly motivated to acquire the land, then they would be able to purchase approximately 85% of properties from locals.
The remaining home owners will gradually experience a decrease in the social capital of their community, and will begin to suffer even more negative externalities associated with the production of gas. At that point, I believe almost all will sell their land. Sadly the quaint communities that existed before will be replaced by heavily industrialized machines that remove all remnants of the word 'community' from land rich with natural resources.