Fracking...is it safe? I know very little and would like to know what you all think about it! (Pittsburgh: buying a house, buying)

[South Range Family]

The Frac Facts - Seeking Alpha

Here is a small quote.

rivers.

Each company has its own different recipe for frac fluid. Ingredients of this fluid have drawn heavy interest, as companies did not want the competition to get a hold of this valuable information. Other companies were happy to disclose, posted the information on the internet for all to see. All chemicals used at a well site must be listed in MSDS sheets on location, so it is not a big secret what is being used, more a question of how much. Frac fluid is 99% water and sand/proppant. Other chemicals such as biocides or friction reducers are a very small portion of this mix. Companies like Flotek (FTK) have designed clean frac fluids that are biodegradable.

It seems like a very interesting article.

[rugerjitsu]

Originally Posted by ditchdigger

I see that the discussion here seems to be focused on the possibility of some form of "industrial espionage"--doctors, or well informed patients, disclosing secret formulas to competitors.

A different theory occurs to me...



How about, so the stricken person can't tell their lawyer, and the lawyer can't tell the jury, exactly what's in the fracking fluid, when they bring the inevitable lawsuit?



So you'd know the answer to this question then--Don't the MSDS sheets pretty much make what's in the stuff not-so-secret-at-all?

i think the post above answers your question about the MSDS sheets...

i can't really say, i've never seen an MSDS sheet that pertained to our fracking jobs.

[Caladium]

So now that some more time has passed, is the general attitude in Pittsburgh towards fracking changing or remaining about the same? Is it working out well? Any problems?

[baconlegs]

Originally Posted by Caladium

So now that some more time has passed, is the general attitude in Pittsburgh towards fracking changing or remaining about the same? Is it working out well? Any problems?

Fracking has been synonymous with big energy and therefore politics. If you want green energy to succeed, you must destroy conventional energy practices. Science be damned in this argument. Though now that NatGas has been blessed by the savior, I imagine fracking will soon become universaly accepted. (Especially if it means free ___________(e.g. fuel/transportation/heat) for the middle class)

[Caladium]

So... have there been any problems in the last few months. I vaguely recall there was a small tremor several months ago, but not sure if that had anything to do with fracking. Any evidence of water pollution?

[Tiger Beer]

Actually, fracking is something that puts me off Pittsburgh. Meds and Eds are great. But, fracking?

It's a questionable industry that definitely mucks up the water supply.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

It's a questionable industry that definitely mucks up the water supply.

Has there been any actual evidence of the water supply being affected? I know it seems like a likely possibility, but to be honest I don;t read about it actually happening.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Has there been any actual evidence of the water supply being affected? I know it seems like a likely possibility, but to be honest I don;t read about it actually happening.

With anything that is a big business issue, it's almost impossible to say.

They have immense lobbyists, enormous money. To me, it's similar to the tobacco industry, the gun industry, the pharmaucetical industry, genetically-modified foods industry, etc. We'll never know, but I'll personally assume that $$$ is their bottom line, and not the general public good.

There are so many cases online about affected drinking water. Some states ban fracking altogether, others seem to be in alignment with the fracking companies 100% without question.

I tend to think it'll continue to be controversial.

[baconlegs]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Actually, fracking is something that puts me off Pittsburgh. Meds and Eds are great. But, fracking?

It's a questionable industry that definitely mucks up the water supply.

Pittsburgh has a ban on fracking in place. Does that desire to dissuade big business from contributing to the city economy by banning a 50 year old drilling technique appeal to you?

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Actually, fracking is something that puts me off Pittsburgh. Meds and Eds are great. But, fracking?

It's a questionable industry that definitely mucks up the water supply.

I live in the city and have never seen a well anywhere I travel. You cant do it in the city and most of the suburbs because of density.