Gas well fracking safety

The Inter-Mountain, Elkins, W.Va.: Oil and gas well fracturing has been around for more than 60 years.

Most major players in the gas drilling boom in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania are involved in an initiative that should lessen criticism about fracking. Their policy of transparency should be adopted by everyone drilling wells in our region.

Some environmentalists question whether chemicals used in fracking can get into ground water and contaminate it. Drillers point out nearly all the fluid used to frack a well is water (99 percent or more). Most chemicals used are not dangerous and, because wells are cased securely, fracking fluid does not mix with ground water, according to the industry.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition revealed its members will provide information about fracking chemicals used at individual drilling sites. The information will be available through the coalition’s www.FracFocus.com website.

Companies participating in the coalition have made a wise decision.