I am bumping this up to link this story about the recent earthquakes in AK.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41638358/ns/us_news/
This story eludes to the fact that the shale drilling companies could be responsible.
I watched a great Documentary on HBO Sunday called
GasLand. I highly recommend watching it as it is worthwhile. I learned a couple things.
VP Dick Cheney quietly exempted drilling companies from answering to watchdog groups, the clean water act, the clean air act, EPA, superfund. Isn't Halliburton DC's company?
The shale drilling companies are contaminating the groundwater and people's wells are so polluted that their water actually BURNS when exposed to flame. The drilling companies are not required to reveal the toxic chemicals used in the process.
The drilling companies denounce pollution and deteriorating health claims by residents and dare them to prove it, knowing that the poor people cannot afford repesentation. Or they settle and pay them off.
One family's animals' hair fell out. horses, dogs cats. Another lady froze dead birds and rabbits she found dead to keep as specimens. Many families are getting sick with resperatory problems, headaches, etc.
Each of these sites has a holding site for the toxic water which is called processed water, IIRC. Sprayers are placed in the sludge pond which are called evaporators. The water is sprayed into the atmosphere to evaporate and disperse.
There were 'vents' in one stream where gas was escaping and the stream water could be lit afire. Fish kills have occured in streams polluted by the drilling.
US states featured in the documentary included PA, AK, TX, CO, WY and IIRC, UT and ID.
This doc was the most appalling example of the injustices that occur to private landowners in our country. They have no say so when the shale companies choose to drill on their land although they do receive compensation which is nothing compared to the raping of their land and the groundwater pollution and the subsequent health consequences.
I have now made up my mind on the poll. I am voting Government coverup since drilling companies are exempt from the guidelines of the very agencies that were put in place to protect our citizens and environment.
I'd be interested to know if these bird kills occured in close proximity to any drilling sites.
I hope my recall on details of the documentary are accurate. I plan to tivo it if it's shown again. It has taken me from Sunday til now to pick my chin up off the floor and get my jaw back in place.
wm
BTW, My dbf is from MT, where alot of drilling is taking place. He and his family are watching this closely as they own family property there. (around 50 acres IIRC which isn't much for MT really) Anyway,word is, a rich lady from around Billings who is either an heiress or owner or something to do with the Mars candy company, is taking a stand to prevent the companies from drilling on her land....and she has the money to do it!
I'd be interested in all of your thoughts on this as I had no idea that such a thing was going on right under my nose!