Today, 3 News reported:
I have no doubt that the investigation will find fracking to be dangerous. There is no benefit in destroying the environment for the sake of the oil and gas industries profit margin.
In the mean time there should be a moratorium on fracking to ensure further water, land and air contamination does not occur.
The mining process known as 'fracking' will be officially investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright.
Dr Wright says preliminary work indicated there is a need to examine the issue more closely.
“The work that has been done by my office thus far shows a substantive case for an official investigation under the Environment Act.
“Over the next few months my staff and I will conduct this investigation and produce a report to Parliament.
“I realise this is a hugely contentious issue and I would hope to have a report tabled in the House before the end of this year.”
In fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a mix of chemicals, sand and water is pumped at high pressure, deep in to the earth, to release oil and gas.
The process is banned in some countries because of concerns it pollutes water supplies and possibly even causes earthquakes.
I have no doubt that the investigation will find fracking to be dangerous. There is no benefit in destroying the environment for the sake of the oil and gas industries profit margin.
In the mean time there should be a moratorium on fracking to ensure further water, land and air contamination does not occur.
