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Protect Michigan Water from Unsafe Drilling

Like other states around the country, Michigan has begun searching for natural gas in deep shale rock hundreds of feet below ground . We're using this natural gas to heat our homes, power our electronics and light our offices. But while natural gas does burn more cleanly than coal, we must be sure we don't poison our drinking water in the process of extracting it.

Extracting natural gas using a technique called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking" takes more than just a drill -- in fact every well pumped uses millions of gallons of Great Lakes freshwater which is mixed with a concoction of toxic chemicals to release the gas from tiny fissures in the rock. Not only is this freshwater contaminated and unusable, but the companies are not required to disclose the mixture of chemicals used--not to the public nor the Department of Natural Resources.

To protect Michigan's surface water, groundwater, and drinking water from excessive use and contamination, oil and gas companies should be required to disclose the chemicals used and assess the amount of water utilzed in hydraulic fracturing. >Visit the Great Michigan website for more information

>Download the 2011-2012 Great Michigan Environmental Priorities PDF

TAKE ACTION: Michigan has begun drilling for natural gas at deeper levels using a technique called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." Fracking uses a mixture of chemicals that are undisclosed to the public. Yet, many of these chemicals are known to be hazardous to our health and our water, and have contaminated drinking water sources in other states. >Take Action - Urge the DEQ to Require Full Public Disclosure of All Chemicals Used in Fracking

News:

Natural Gas Industry Pours Money into Congress
Nov 18, 2011
The nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization, Common Cause has issued a report titled “Deep Drilling, Deep Pockets” detailing the extent to which campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures by the natural gas industry have...
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Obama's Frack Panel to Study Links Between Natural Gas Drilling and Health Harms
Aug 17, 2011
The Obama administration has begun reviews on the safety of shale gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and the effects they may have on our water and air.
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Ohio Makes a Mockery of the Great Lakes Compact
Jul 13, 2011
The OSU Football team isn't the only embarrassment to the state of Ohio right now. If the Governor of Ohio signs into law the legislation passed last week by the Ohio legislature, it will be a sad day for the Great Lakes. While its...
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As states around the country take action on fracking, what's Michigan doing?
Jun 28, 2011
As the fracking debate continues to grow, and at the absence of any strong federal leadership, states around the country are starting to take small steps toward action.
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Small steps to safer fracking, but instructions remain unclear from DEQ
May 31, 2011
After many months of discussions with the natural gas industry and legislators, as well as receiving hundreds of e-mails from Michigan LCV supporters, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality issued new instructions as to the...
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