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Hydrofracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the practice of opening up passageways in subterranean rock formations with pressurized water, sand and chemicals to release natural gas. On Monday and Tuesday, the UB Law School held a public conference on hydrofracking, and tomorrow the Department of Geology launches its Marcellus Shale Lecture Series—also free and open to the public. The UB Reporter asked readers what they think about this timely and controversial topic.

Published: March 30, 2011

• The natural gas industry claims that the Marcellus Shale will provide the U.S. with 15 year’s worth of fuel at current consumption rates. I would say this figure is closer to 10 years if we take industry optimism out of the picture and factor in our ever-accelerating rate of consumption. Ten years and then it is gone. We will be back where we are today, with rising energy costs and a desperation to find a cheaper fuel. I say, why postpone the inevitable? Why invest our valuable time and energy in hydrofracking? Why generate all the infrastructure required to frack? Why risk the quality of our air and water…for a process that we know will shortly be obsolete?

  It is simply not worth it. The industry argues that hydrofracking will boost the economy and create jobs. Guess what? So will renewable energies. We need to shift subsidies from fossil fuels to clean alternative energies. We need an energy source that we can rely on for centuries, not 10 years. We need an energy source that does not undermine public health and ecological integrity.

  Hydrofracking depletes freshwater supplies; generates hazardous waste, which we are thus far incapable of properly treating; disrupts landscape aesthetics; contaminates drinking water; and more. There are individuals in the U.S. already suffering its effects. We cannot allow hydrofracking to begin en masse. The risk is too great and the gain is too small and too temporary.

  Kristina Blank
  UB Student
  President, UB Environmental Network

• As geology faculty, we train students who will work on both sides of fracking; some will work for oil and gas companies, some for environmental companies. So we need to teach them about it, but it would not be serving them well to advertise our position on such a contentious issue. This is especially true because we (the department and those working with it) would like to help by acting for the state of New York as an objective resource about fracking information. Along this vein, our speaker series about the Marcellus Shale is designed to inform our students about an important geological industry, with potentially local opportunities. We also opened up the talks to the general student body and the public so that they can understand how this part of the energy industry works and is regulated, especially in New York. I hope it’s super informative!

  Marcus Bursik
  Professor and Chair
  Department of Geology

• Based on the information I’ve read, I am not in favor in hydrofracking. There just seem to be too many unresolved issues associated with the process. Before more drilling permits are issued in New York state, there needs to be a policy in place to protect and preserve our natural areas and our precious freshwater. Where will companies be drawing the freshwater needed for drilling, and will the state be able to ensure wastewater is being disposed of properly? Can regulators ensure us municipal water treatment plants are capable of removing all drilling contaminants, high levels of salts and the naturally occurring radioactive materials produced by drilling? Lastly, will our Department of Environmental Conservation have the resources needed to enforce environmental policy? Are we in a position to oversee thousands of wells? We only need to look to Pennsylvania to see the negative impacts of lax regulation.

  Erin Moscati
  Environmental Educator
  UB Green

• I am not in favor of hydrofracking. As a lifelong resident of West Valley (home to the West Valley Demonstration Project), I know all too well what happens when you intentionally inject/put chemicals into the ground. To date, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent remediating the contamination from Sr-90 and other radionuclides. It is projected that $1 billion more will need to be spent to clean up the site, and will take at least 30 more years. We do not need any more contaminated ground or water in Western New York!

  John Pfeffer
  Service Area Leader
  Instructional Support Services

• Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial issue from a law and policy perspective. It is part of a larger debate about energy needs for our nation in light of myriad related issues, such as climate change policy, the economic downturn and the reality of environmental issues facing our nation. No doubt we need energy. But we also need to figure out how to get it in as sustainable and economical a way as possible. Natural gas is a necessary part of our overall energy package, but how to approach accessing and managing that resource is a complex policy question. We need to invest more time in assessing impacts and options, and all stakeholders need to provide input and data to make sure that we come up with the best long-term solution possible.

  Kim Diana Connolly
  Professor
  UB Law School