In the early 1970s, rivers were so polluted that some actually caught fire. The air in major cities was dark and heavy with smog. Then, after passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water acts, emissions standards and controls cleaned up our air and guaranteed strong protection for the water that we drink.
These acts do not allow carcinogens to be injected into the ground. They protect our private wells the same as municipal drinking water. Most industries, except one being discussed in New York, has to abide by these strong federal protections. The hydrofracking industry, under then-Vice President Dick Cheney's guidance, was able to obtain federal exemptions from almost all provisions of these acts.
Unfortunately, New York's proposed hydrofracking regulations have not restored the federal protections. Frackers do not even have to say what they're putting in the ground.
As a cancer survivor, I am aghast. Carcinogens cause cancer. If fracking fluid contains carcinogens, and we know it does, it should be illegal.
PATRICIA GOLDSMITH
Hudson