Of course the Republican Party supports the petroleum industry. Their campaign finance chests are full of their money. But the most dangerous process in history for removing crude and natural gas from deep under the surface has received approval from everyone in power, including President Obama, and the man who calls himself an environmentalist, California Governor Jerry Brown.
Oklahoma has the largest number of fracking wells in the nation. This process of forcing a mixture of water, sand, and 600 chemicals deep underground with the use of extreme pressure poses many dangers to our soil, water, and those living near the wells. The chemicals used vary in content, but several are known carcinogens. More than four-million gallons of water are mixed with these chemicals, and only a portion of this caustic mixture is retrieved. The remainder is left in the soil to pollute underground rivers and streams.
Scientists have proven that the process of removing this waste has caused seismic activity. Oklahoma experienced only a few dozen small earthquakes since 2012 until fracking greatly increased last year. During 2015, Oklahoma recorded more than 900 earthquakes.
Yesterday the state experienced a sizable seismic event. An earthquake measuring magnitude 5.6 struck northwest of Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is not a state where earthquakes are a common occurrence. Republican Governor Mary Fallin approved unlimited fracking in the state, destroying pristine wilderness, and endangering the future of her state.
There exists no greater villain in our nation than the petroleum industry. Their greed has destroyed land and water across the nation. The failure of our nation to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy is unforgivable. It is destroying our land, water, and clean air. Climate change is real, and the cause is man who refuses to cease using fossil fuels to operate factories and run their gas guzzling toys.
The petroleum industry has been running multiple ads on television claiming that they care about our nation and about the environment. Even the billionaire Koch brothers are singing their company’s praises. Don’t believe them. The purpose of these ads is to convince the American people to accept the fact that they are increasing the number of wells in our most pristine and beautiful wilderness areas, and are receiving more approval to drill offshore in our oceans. The petroleum industry is the ultimate “profit before people” organization.
Sixty years ago, when I was an elementary school student, I learned about the use of oil and gas to fuel our cars and run factories. I also learned that eventually the earth would no longer contain fossil fuels; they wouldn’t last forever. Ten years later we began to learn about solar and wind as perfect sources for electrical power which offered no pollution. That was the mid 1960’s. Last year only 10 percent of the energy our nation used was from renewable sources.
The United States is lagging behind the world. The petroleum industry has lobbied legislators in Washington to receive permits for increased drilling and stop funding for renewable energy.
Big oil and gas is in control of the right wing. The Texas state legislature passed a law forbidding any country or city in the state to pass regulations which would restrict fracking.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma will continue to experience increased seismic activity. California is suffering from drought conditions, but Governor Brown has approved increased fracking which uses more than four-million gallons of water for each operation.
“America is not a country; it’s a business.”
If you agree with me that this is important, please re-post; thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 