Groups say drilling is a threat to NJ water
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
By: Mark Eichmann
meichmann@whyy.org
Environmental groups say some drilling for natural gas in Pennsylvania and New York poses a threat to drinking water in New Jersey.
The concern is about a process known as fracting where water containing chemicals is forced into the ground to push out natural gas.
Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, says some of the chemicals involved are toxic. She says they could end up polluting the Delaware River which is the source of drinking water for 2.8 million New Jersey residents.
Carluccio: If gas drilling moves ahead as the industry wants and under the present inadequate regulations in Pennsylvania and New York where the shale gas is located, New Jersey is going to pay the price by losing one third of its water supply. This could be a disaster for us.
The environmental groups want the Delaware River Basin Commission to put a moratorium on all permits for those drilling projects until comprehensive rules are developed to protect the water supply.