In New York, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana natural gas companies are using a controversial way to extract methane from ancient shale beds 700-800 ft under ground.
After drilling underground, charges are set which crack the shale, and water laden with chemicals and sand is injected at high pressures into the shale, cracking it which allows natural gas (methane) to escape.
The chemical composition of this slurry of water, sand, and chemicals is often an industry secret. However, this chemical slurry is being injected into areas where groundwater is located, which can cause chemical contamination of the local community's drinking water.
Also, all the methane isn't collected, some escapes into the groundwater, leaving local residents who get their water from the aquifer (underground water storage) above the shale often have such high concentrations of methane in their water that they can actually set their water on fire.
Currently, California does not require fracking operations to disclose what chemicals they are using or where they are drilling at what depths. AB 591 would require that natural gas companies to disclose not only the chemicals used, but the amount of the water/sand slurry that was not recovered from the operation.
AB 591 is currently made it through the California State Assembly, and is in committee in the Senate (Appropriations committee). The Environmental Working Group is collecting signatures in support of the bill. If you are interested in adding your signature to the ballot, write your local state senator, and let them know that you want the right to know what the natural gas companies are putting in your water.
For a list of state senators, visit http://senate.ca.gov/senatedistricts and find your senator!
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