This reader thanks the Times Union for keeping the crucial issue of hydrofracking in the public's mind with these recent articles: "Revised 'fracking' rules released for comment," Nov. 30; "Benefits, unease follow boom," "A dose of reality on fracking," and "Human side of fracking debate," all on Dec. 2.
I'm particularly concerned about fracking's impact on our water. Water is the "delivery system" for fracking, and enormous volumes of it will be used.
Mixed with that is what is essentially a federally protected, nondisclosure agreement the gas and oil industry hides behind in lieu of identifying the quantities of some 750 chemicals that could be used in the process. Some of the water returns to the surface contaminated with the chemicals and radioactive elements.
Radioactive materials and chemical wastes do not go away when they are released at the surface. And then there's whatever is being released into the environment. These lethal residues remain active and could show up years later in unexpected places. The "produced water" alone will be contaminated in the case of radioactive waste for up to 32,000 years — a horrific legacy to inflict on our descendants and the natural world.
Perhaps readers will want to let "the powers that be" know what they think of this water contamination.
CAROL TANSEY
Albany