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Enter the category for this item: Home and Property
Impact to Homes and Property

During the fracking process, it is possible for methane gas to leak into water sources contaminating drinking water.  Additionally, some water wells have gone dry and accidents have led to wells being contaminated with the hydraulic fracture fluid, making them unusable. While little is known on the health impacts of drinking in the water, explosions caused my methane gas leaks have also occurred.  Fracking practices have also recently been confirmed as the cause of the 2011 earthquakes in Ohio. And now, legislation has been put forth that will allow fracking without a homeowner's consent!

See what 1000 tiny fracking-caused earthquakes can do to a home
Confirmed: Fracking Practices to blame for Ohio Earthquakes
National Journal: Can Fracking Cause Earthquakes?
New Law Could Allow Fracking Without Property Owner's Consent

New York Times:  Tainted Water Well Challenges Claim of Fracking's Safety  
Discovery News: Shale Gas Drilling Contaminating Drinking Water 
Scientific American:  Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas Pollutes Water Wells 
TIME:  Another Fracking Mess for the Shale Gas Industry
Vanity Fair: Colossal Fracking Mess
Scientific American:  Does Natural Gas Drilling Make Water Burn? 
Enter the category for this item: Accidents and Spills
Accidents and Spills

Explosions and chemical spills are also potential impacts of Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling.  Chemical gels used in drilling can spill.  The following articles are a few examples of spills and accidents that have occurred. And since gas companies are not required to list the chemicals used in fracking fluid, cleanup of these spills can pose a challenge. 

Man admits to dumping toxic fracking fluid in Mahoning River
W.Va. Gas Well Explosion Injures Seven Workers
Spill at Marcellus Shale Drilling Site Prompts Evacuation
Drilling Gas Gel Spills at Well
Chemicals Used In Fracking Often a Mystery at Cleanup Time
Third Natural Gas Chemical Spill Reported
Enter the category for this item: Streams
Impact to Streams & Rivers

Each Marcellus Shale Well can require up to 6 million gallons of water.  This water is drawn, free of charge, from our rivers and streams.  This can lead to destruction of the ecosystems of those streams, and has, in some cases, completely drained the streams.  


Channel 4 Action News on the impact Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling has had on some Pennsylvania streams and rivers.

Additionally, waste water generated by drilling can leak into streams, killing the fish and other aquatic life in the streams.  The links below will take you to news stories about incidents involving Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling leaks leading to the death of the life in the streams.

Fracking poses severe threat to wildlife
Study ties tracking fluid spill to fish deaths
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09156/975204-58.stm
http://www.wtae.com/r/21984162/detail.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2346344/posts

Enter the category for this item: State Parks
Impact to State Parks
West Virginia's State Parks are the cornerstone of the state's tourism industry.  But permits have been granted to allow Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling in Chief Logan State Park.

WV State Parks Focus on Fracking Battle.

In addition to the noise of construction, increased traffic from large trucks, and destruction of sections of the state parks, there is also the risk of damage from leaks at the site.  Click here to see what happened in Pennsylvania State Parks. 
CityPaper
Post Gazette

Fracking Concerns in State Park Prompt Lawsuit

Enter the category for this item: Climate
Impact to Climate
Natural Gas has been cited as better for the environment than coal, because it has lower carbon-dioxide emmissions levels when burned.  This benefit is counteracted by the fact that methane, a chief component of natural gas, escapes into the air.  While methane disspates more quickly than carbon dioxide, it is far more efficient at trapping heat.  
Click here to read the New York Times article on the potential impact of shale drilling to the climate.