LITTLE ROCK — Recently this newspaper printed a guest column from Jason Rapert, state senator and Fayetteville Shale Caucus chairman. He talked about the economic benefits of the natural gas industry.
He asked readers to consider what it would be like in Faulkner County, and the rest of the state, if we didn’t have the natural gas industry during economic hard times.
As a lifetime resident of Arkansas and 25-year resident of Faulkner County, this isn’t hard to imagine. When I think about what it could be like, I picture two-lane highways and dirt roads (without potholes) that wind their way through farms and rolling hills. I think about forestland filled with wildlife. I think about fishing, camping and boating on Greers Ferry Lake, the Little Red River, Woolly Hollow State Park and the Cadron Creek. I think about the sound of the wind and a whippoorwill. I think of the good hardworking people that have decided to make this area their home for the peace and quiet, and to raise a family. Not for an abundance of jobs or a booming economy.
Rapert has publicly stated that most of thepeople who are concerned with hydraulic fracturing are from outside the shale area or are from other states. This is one statement in a long line of misinformation that he and the rest of the industry give to the public.
Rapert also spoke of his request to have the nonprofit group STRONGER review our oil and gas laws, though he has stated publicly that he believes our laws are sufficient. Now he says that if the review finds any flaws in our regulations, he “will be first in line to do what needs to be done to be sure that we protect both Arkansas’ natural resources and the jobs of Arkansas workers.”
Rapert has so far done just the opposite, lobbying against new laws or taxes on the industry. He vows to protect the jobs of Arkansans with no mention of protecting their health, property or basic human rights. He calls the natural gas industry an “economic engine.” Our tourism and farming industries have been Arkansas’ engine for generations. These industries still bring in more money than the natural gas industry could ever dream of, but may not be around long withthe effects of the natural gas industry. He has failed to react to complaints from his own constituents, but will listen when stakeholders from other states give their recommendations.
Rapert encourages everyone to convert their vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) using government rebates. The conversion costs about $10,000 for a light-duty vehicle and there are currently only three stations in the state to fill up. He says many more stations are to come, but at $750,000 per station, that may not be true. CNG is only a viable option if prices stay at record lows. As more of the supply is shipped overseas and new regulations cause prices to rise, it will not be a sustainable option.
The same day Rapert’s column was printed, the Environmental Protection Agency released its study on contaminated drinking water in Wyoming, showing groundwater contamination from chemicals used in fracking, as well as methane. This first extensive study to be released confirms the fears of many around the country. Rapert says it’s important not to ruin the economic gift our state has received with no mention of how important it is to not ruin our water, air and land.
Water contamination is only one problem in a long list of negative effects from the industry. Residents complain of air pollution, noise and light pollution, road damage, and dangerous truck drivers. Forests are clear-cut and land is deformed. Pipelines explode and earthquakes happen.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the death rate for oil and gas employees is about seven times that of all U.S. workers.
The industry claims the process occurs far below our water when many wells are 1,200 to 3,000 feet deep. They tout how clean-burning natural gas is, but a recent study by Cornell University showed that when the extraction process is considered, natural gas is dirtier than coal because of methane leakage during fracking. They urge Americans to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, yet much of this gas will be shipped overseas. They overstate the amount of jobs created for Arkansans, the number of tax income, and the amount of extractable gas in the ground.
It is clear that there are problems, and that there is a potential for much larger problems. With hydraulic fracturing ramping up in southern Arkansas for oil production, and test wells being drilled in other parts of the state, Arkansans need to be aware of this process. They need to be aware of where their water and food come from. They need to know they will pay higher taxes because of the damage this industry does while it’s here.
When the gas and jobs are gone, whether that is sooner or later, Arkansas will be left holding the bag, and it won’t be full of money.
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Sam Lane is a resident of Greenbrier and director of Stop Arkansas Fracking.
Editorial, Pages 17 on 12/29/2011