Fracking, a national issue!

Whose responsibility is it to make sure the country and the people in it are safe from environmental hazards? Some think it is a state responsibility while others believe it is a national responsibility.  Well, I believe it is a national responsibility.  How can each state be responsible for itself when there is so much interaction between states?  Yes, the national government needs to leave some things up to the states but not when it concerns multiple states.  This is when it becomes a national issue.

In November of 2011 officials from Oklahoma testified at a subcommittee meeting in DC concerning  the ill affects of hydraulic fracturing on the environment.  EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the national government question whether or not the regulation of gas oil production should be left up to the states or be made a national responsibility.  Well, since the EPA has found traces of the chemical Bromine in Pennsylvania water ways that they believe is traced to hydraulic fracturing I would say that the states are not capable of doing a good enough job at regulating production to protect the environment.  EPA is now considering regulating waste water from hydraulic fracturing under the Clean Water Act.  They are currently in the process of gathering information.  It will be great if they can do this but how many more people will be put at risk in these regions where this practice is prevalent?  Getting privilege to regulate the waste water could take years.  By that time there could be countless more people exposed to the water that is harmful.

EPA officials say that bromine is used in commercial gasoline, oil, pesticides and many other products.  I put gasoline in my car, not in the water I drink.  If the states cannot properly regulate the waste water and other harmful outcomes that stem from hydraulic fracturing then the national government needs to take over.  It does not just affect on state.  It affects the whole country.

Protesters show their feelings about hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as "fracking".

Photo by ITmayers, flickr.com

Sources:
Bailey, B. (2011, Nov 16). Officials defend fracking in D.C.: Oklahoma officials testify at subcommittee hearing. Journal Record, pp. n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/905641730?accountid=10017