Hydraulic fracturing—pumping water and chemicals deep underground to bring oil and natural gas to the surface—is a controversial environmental issue in the U.S. today.
Supporters say the drilling technique is safe, has reduced energy prices and is making the U.S. far less dependent on imported oil. Critics say the technique will lead to widespread pollution of drinking water supplies.
Robert Jackson, an environmental scientist at Stanford and Duke universities, will present “Fracking: What we know and don’t know about its impact on water” on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in the theater at the U of M’s St. Paul Student Center, 2017 Buford Ave. Dr. Jackson’s research in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Texas has not found the direct pollution of water wells by drilling fluids and brackish waste water that critics of fracking fear. The research has found significant natural gas contamination in water wells near gas wells.
Jackson’s presentation is sponsored by the Freshwater Society and the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences.
The series, is part of the Moos Family Speaker Series on Water Resources. Register to attend the lecture at www.freshwater.org.
