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Special issue: Facts and Fracks

Natural gas (of both kinds) cost our classmate his job. The controversy may come near you soon.

From the editor: You may interpret the following in many ways (and we hope to start a discussion via your feedback). It involves a pressing current issue that's heating up — "fracking."

A feature film about the subject starring Matt Damon ("Promised Land") will be released December 28; New York's governor (and rumored future Presidential candidate) Andrew Cuomo has just delayed a big decision about it after pressure from people ranging from Lady Gaga to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Controversies are spreading elsewhere.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a method of extracting natural gas from deep wells that is booming in many parts of the country. People watching closely include those, like our Class Secretary Dave Honneus, who get their water from wells. Dueling documentary films include the anti-fracking "Gasland" and an industry rebuttal, "Truthland" plus dueling sequels, "The Sky is Pink" and "The Sky is Blue."

We have a grassroots expert with personal experience and convictions, Bill Weber. Here he presents a case study that is rich in grassroots details.

Since fracking is in the news, I thought it would be useful to present Bill's tale (and some fascinating photos he dug up) right away.

Please share your comments. For instance, is energy a major issue? How important is it for the US to be more energy-independent? What do you think about drilling and fracking as means to that end? Could you make do with less carbon (gas, oil and coal)? How do you weigh the possible tradeoffs with environmental safety? Whose information do you trust?

— Chris Cory, Corresponding Secretary