PA Residents Sue Fracking Company Over Drinking Water Contamination
Thirteen families in Susquehanna County, in northeastern Pennsylvania, have filed a lawsuit against Southwestern Energy Company of Houston, claiming that their drinking water wells have been contaminated by the hydraulic fracturing of a natural gas well in close proximity to their homes. Reports on the lawsuit are sketchy, and infer that the contamination is a result of faulty casing cement in the well bore, as well as insufficient impoundment at the surface to prevent fluids removed from the well from seeping back into the earth, and presumably into the groundwater.
The suit, filed in Susquehanna County Civil Court, alleges that the Price Well number 1, located in Lenox Township in that county, was fracked using drilling muds that contain carcinogens and toxins, including barium, manganese and strontium. The allegations claim negligence on the part of Southwestern Energy and its employees.
While our search of Southwestern Energy’s website revealed no discussion of the constituents of it’s fracking fluid, this fact sheet which we have oft cited, courtesy of Chesapeake Energy, lists it’s fracking fluid components, and none of the elements listed in the lawsuit are among them. Note that this is Chesapeake’s fact sheet specific to their activity in the Marcellus Play, and we are reasonably confident that Southwestern’s fracking fluid is not significantly different.
None of the reports we could find regarding this lawsuit indicated the depth of the aquifer from which the drinking water is removed or the depth of Price no. 1. In addition, none of the reports indicated whether any of these wells had been tested for contamination prior to the fracking of the well. We have contacted the author of one such report, and will share his response when, or if, it is received and offers any new revelations.
This is one we will be watching closely.
Is the allegation that natural gas is in the drinking water?
If so, it seems more likely that the gas has been there for a long time and nobody bothered to sue Mother Nature about it.
That is among the allegations, along with the presence of heavy metals alleged to be from the fracking fluids. It is generally being dismissed in a manner consistent with your conclusion.
Is the allegation that natural gas is in the drinking water?
If so, it seems more likely that the gas has been there for a long time and nobody bothered to sue Mother Nature about it.
That is among the allegations, along with the presence of heavy metals alleged to be from the fracking fluids. It is generally being dismissed in a manner consistent with your conclusion.
HBO had a documentary called Gasland. I think you should watch it before you start making comments like that. Pretty sure mother nature didn't do that.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/21/arts/te…
I watched it, and it's very dramatic.____What is it about an actor utilizing a script prepared by a writer seeking drama, using special affects from a team of specialists, that establishes instant credibility?
Unmitigated lies from start to finish in that film. An absolute scandal on the order of An Inconvenient Truth.
Gasland is a joke. I live in Dimock. I have lived here for over 50 years. People need to educate themselves and not be sucked in by all of this negative media. Come here and see for yourself. Talk to the old folks who tell stories of lighting their wells on fire since the 30′s and 40′s. Go to Salt Springs Park where you can light the bubbling spring on fire. It’s always been an attraction. Get your facts straight!
HBO had a documentary called Gasland. I think you should watch it before you start making comments like that. Pretty sure mother nature didn't do that.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/21/arts/te…
I watched it, and it's very dramatic.____What is it about an actor utilizing a script prepared by a writer seeking drama, using special affects from a team of specialists, that establishes instant credibility?
Unmitigated lies from start to finish in that film. An absolute scandal on the order of An Inconvenient Truth.
The problem here is that the general public and the liberal media is un-educated when it comes to geology, groudn water hydrology and engineering, drilling and fracturing of wells. Go educate yourself before you make stupid comments.
He doesn't have to! He's part of the Obamanation, and whatever he says will be parroted by ABCNNBCBS, Which is why they're looking to pass a bill that will let The One shut down the Internet for 4 months…
The problem here is that the general public and the liberal media is un-educated when it comes to geology, groudn water hydrology and engineering, drilling and fracturing of wells. Go educate yourself before you make stupid comments.
He doesn't have to! He's part of the Obamanation, and whatever he says will be parroted by ABCNNBCBS, Which is why they're looking to pass a bill that will let The One shut down the Internet for 4 months…