Natural gas Fracking

Alex Ruth

3/1/2012

Eng 101

Dr. Hill Taylor

Synthesis

            In Wyoming there is a huge issue of natural gas fracking affecting the water supply of the local communities. After reading all the information in the article I felt a sense of serious disturbance; if companies, like EnCana, can go around in a reckless manner and not be punished or controlled for their wrong doings then I can be in just as much danger as the people of the communities in Wyoming. When a community’s water supply is contaminated there is a huge question over the risk of the people’s health. Water contamination has been known to cause serious problems such as cancer. If the government cannot protect the people, control reckless companies, and limit environmental hazards then who will?

            The people of Wyoming are no different than the people of any other state. They are just looking to live their lives in peace just like anyone else. When drilling companies such as EnCana came in, their lives became in danger of serious health risks. The people had no say in what the company’s boundaries were and could not control the situation at all. The people were nothing more than a group of gazelle in a field of lions. Water is one of the few things in life that are required to live, and when companies contaminate the water they are putting many people’s lives at risk. In a world where people are not in control over the actions of organizations, such as companies in this case, then it is the job of the government to control and protect the interests and safety of the people.

            The government holds the greatest responsibility to the people. The government’s purpose is to serve and protect the rights of all of the country’s civilians. With all of the concern over politics of who’s elected and whose not creates a fog over the government’s ability to do the right thing at all times. Often, the people that make up the government only have their interest kept in mind instead of the people, and in this case this seems to be the problem. In the article made by The Scientific American, the people of congress completely shut down the science and finding found by the EPA and one congressman stated that they were deeply offended over their findings. Deeply offended! Science is science, fact cannot be changed. Why would one be offended over their findings? How does it play an effect in that congressman’s life? Is he in any way connected to the company under attack, and if so why? The people of the government do not always have their priorities in the right place, which can obviously be seen in this instance.

            Natural gas drilling and transporting needs to be made sure it is done in a safe manner in which no-one’s health is at risk. Coming up with an alternative solution over the one that currently exists is not a problem to the company just maybe an inconvenience. In any company the number one concern should always be safety no matter what.