The good news in Gasland is that energy companies do not discriminate. If you thought natural gas is a good solution to climate change, watch the award winning documentary Gasland directed by Josh Fox. After the Pennsylvania native was asked to lease his land for drilling Fox embarks on a multi-state investigation of the natural gas companies, and their use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The process involves pumping large amounts of water mixed with 80,000 chemicals into the earth's crust, fracturing rock to release natural gas. About 70 percent of fracking fluid remains underground and is not biodegradable. Researches suspect that 65 of the compounds used in fracking are hazardous to human health. Dick Chaney appears for less than two seconds in archival footage, long enough to mastermind the “Halliburton loophole”, legislation that exempts gas companies from disclosing the chemicals used during hydraulic fracking. There are about 1557 rigs spread across the country contaminating local water supplies, and gas companies are naturally not taking responsibility. Fox doesn't get any clear answers from the natural gas industry but he records the testimony of everyday citizens who's natural water supply have been contaminated by nearby rigs. It's a shame Fox didn't invest in a capable pro-consumer HD camera to tell this important story, it looks like a bad VHS home video and feels too long because of it. I'm inclined to believe this was an artistic choice, a peculiar one considering the setting in America's beautiful heartland. If you drink tap water in New York however I strongly advise you to stick it out to the end.
-GUSTAVIUS SMITH
