After an initial review of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources updated rules on fracking it is clear that there are still many areas of concern. However, because of SAFEs efforts, as well as those of many organizations around the state, some issues have been addressed and are improved. There are expanded rules to cover radioactivity, for example. Also, permit hearings are required to be held in the same county as the proposed drilling site or within thirty miles. And, open pit storage will only be allowed for 7 days. It is also noteworthy that IDNR now has the right to impose additional sanctions to protect public health, public, safety, property, wildlife, aquatic life, and the environment. Although SAFE will work within the legislative framework to continue to improve the rules currently set out, our ultimate goal is an Illinois fracking ban. We know that fracking, using the most advanced current technology, is dangerous. No amount of rules or restrictions can make fracking safe and should be banned. Southern Illinois is especially in danger since we are in a high-probability earthquake zone. You cannot regulate earthquakes. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the most seismically active in North America east of the Rockies and continues to pose a high earthquake risk. A 3.1 earthquake hit Western Tennessee on Sunday. That earthquake was attributed to the New Madrid fault zone. IDNR doubled the notification distance for well operators from three to six miles from the epicenter of an earthquake. Living at the edge of the Wabash and New Madrid active fault zones I find it unlikely that the New Madrid fault would care about the changes IDNR made, though I certainly do. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) has stated the New Madrid Fault is overdue for an event and susceptible to stresses. Stated Stephen Nickels, of SAFE (Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing our environment).
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:13:23 +0000
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