Gasland

Last week I watched the documentary Gasland. I finished the movie completely sick to my stomach and wanting to cry.

About the film: The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.

Trailer can be found here.

My thoughts:
* Where is an Erin Brockovich when you need her to help out everyone with health problems from the drilling? The filmmaker received a letter offering $4k/ acre for his land in rural PA. He had 19 acres so he stood to make $100,000. I can only imagine how people in rural areas jumped on the chance to make that kind of money before thinking of the environmental and health consequences.

*The fact that the various state Department of Environmental Protection agencies are turning a blind eye to the problem is both horrifying and terrifying. Most agencies received tons of cuts because of the recession. Who is going to protect us from greedy companies that are all too ready to ruin land, animals and people all for a quick buck?

*In one scene the filmmaker talks to an organic beef farmer. He has drills all around him and won't drink his water because of all of the chemicals in it. However, he still allows his cattle to drink the water- he even says that he can't believe that they want to drink it because it smells so bad. How is this even allowed as an organic beef farmer? The cattle may not be getting antibiotics, feed corn, etc. but all of the chemicals in the water will be present in the meat once the cattle is slaughtered. Disgusting.

*Even though CT doesn't have any natural gas drilling, I still went on the website and emailed my senators and representatives about this subject. I really worry for my friends in the shale states.

Have you seen this documentary yet? I would highly recommend a viewing of it as you might be in one of the 34 states affected by the natural gas drilling. Even if you don't live in one of the states, the entire water system will eventually be affected by this drilling.