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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch, (202) 683-2500, kfried(at)fwwatch(dot)org

Industry Insider Skepticism Over Shale Gas Fracking Reinforces Need for Federal Ban

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter

WASHINGTON

"The New York Times' recent series on shale gas fracking reinforces deep concerns voiced by Food & Water Watch that the so-called promises of fracking as a bridge to energy independence have been gravely over-hyped by the natural gas industry and certain policymakers.

"The fact is that the natural gas industry has exaggerated the economic benefits of fracking while downplaying its risks to public health and the environment. Meanwhile, when skeptical industry insiders evoke terms like 'Ponzi scheme,' 'bubble,' and 'Enron' to describe the actual potential of shale gas fracking, you know there's a profound problem.

"The very fact that Chesapeake Energy chief executive Aubrey McClendon admitted to investors that his company is reselling fracking leases for 5 to 10 times their actual value is indicative of a reckless and dangerous mentality of invincibility reminiscent of Ken Lay's during his years at Enron.

"These revelations further prove that the Obama administration is pursuing a misguided course in encouraging the proliferation of this toxic, dangerous practice. Rather than incentivizing shale gas fracking it should devote resources to developing truly sustainable energy solutions that won't harm public health or the environment. In the meantime, President Obama should impose a national ban on shale gas fracking."

Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.

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