Talladega National Forest and Conecuh National Forest are in danger of being permanently disfigured, not to mention the possible loss of wildlife and rare creatures that live in these forests. How many of you have visited Cheaha State Park and observed the beauty there?
Fracking is very involved; it produces a great amount of waste and uses a large amount of water in the process. Also employed are various chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. At risk are the underground water tables as well as air pollution miles away from the fracking sites. Many individuals have had to move from their homes in other locations that permit such exploration.
The oil industry is interested in producing natural gas, and it claims we have 100 years’ worth of gas trapped in the shale of the earth. However, there appears to be a glut of natural gas on the market now.
I can appreciate the need to find alternative energy resources; however, it seems that overall interest in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is diminishing. If fracking is the answer, then there must be strong government oversight — not industry oversight. We also need a better understanding of long-term consequences of fracking. We vividly remember the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico when the BP oil spill occurred. We can prevent a similar incident from happening again.
If you would like to help stop our national forests from being destroyed, please go to www.wildsouth.org to learn more. Please sign the petition and learn of other ways you can help to prevent this possible disaster.
Keith Cottis
Birmingham
