NPR Radio: Drilling for Natural Gas: Rewards and Risks
More sophisticated drilling techniques are unlocking this country's enormous reserves of natural gas. But many say environmental concerns – including radioactive waste water – have yet to be fully addressed. The state of Pennsylvania is in the forefront of the current rush to extract natural gas, and it also seems to be in the middle of an increasingly contentious debate over related environmental risks. The process of extracting natural gas involves forcing millions of gallons of water deep into the earth to break up rock and release the gas. Environmentalists say that in some states, including Pennsylvania, this waste water which is often laden with heavy salts and naturally occurring radioactive materials is being improperly discharged into rivers and streams. Please join us for conversation on the risks and rewards of drilling for natural gas.


Guests:
John Quigley - former secretary Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resourses
Ian Urbina - reporter, NY Times
Dr. Tony Ingraffea - Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering, Weiss Presidential Teaching Fellow, Cornell University
Kathryn Klaber - president, Marcellus Shale Coalition
Amy Mall - policy analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council
John Hanger - former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.