Fracking: Fracturing Greeley resident's standpoint on oil drilling

Concerned Weld County residents and students from the University of Northern Colorado filled the University Center ballrooms Tuesday night to witness the powerful speech presented by hydraulic fracturing activist.

Josh Fox is known for his academy award nominated film, “Gasland” where the majority was shot in Weld County displaying the frightening affect of what has been known as “fracking.” Fracking is the deep extraction of natural gas processed by well drilling causing interference between this and water wells. Once a well is drilled, 2-7 million of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are deposited down the well at excruciating pressures. This pressure is what ultimately causes the fracturing of the shale causing a free flow of natural gas. Weld County, Colo. is one at major risk for harmful chemicals being released into drinking water and air around the drills. With much of Weld being taken over by the drilling, the danger is at its ultimate high.

“There are severe health problems for people living by these things,” Fox said. “Oil and gas wells in Northern Colorado are extensive and causing the area to become a toxic wasteland.”

In 2008 when the film was shot, three stories were highlighted from different Weld families. One woman admitted to showering in the dark because she was afraid of one of her bulbs sparking and catching the water on fire. One man became famous for his act of lighting his water that he drank and bathed with on fire. Another woman was forced to move out of the area because of extreme health issues with her and her family. This is just a number of examples of residents being negatively affected by the hazardous consequences of what fracking can cause.

“I think fracking is an issue that needs a lot more attention, not only in Northern Colorado, but everywhere.” Said Steffon Fisher, junior criminal justice major. “If more people knew about the extreme conditions I think we would make the necessary progress to stop it.”

According to UNC Geography professor, Karen Barton, Fox was invited here to “ignite” this important conversation and get educated about these dangers. In 2011, UNC was thrown into the equation with possible drilling to occur on campus. Although nothing has happened yet, Fox thought UNC was the perfect place in Colorado to voice the frightening facts about fracking.

“There’s something different happening in Colorado that’s different than in 2008,” Fox said. “Air quality has become worse than LA pollution in some areas due to drilling.”

Fox discussed how he witnessed expert after expert lie to Congress about the effects of drilling saying that it’s safe and not important enough to investigate. Although this dishonesty has occurred in many areas around Colorado, some cities have taken the next step in preventing the harmful health affects by banning the act of fracking. By popular vote, Longmont passed the amendment this past election of outlawing fracking within city limits.   

“I’m proud to be from a city that’s actually trying to make a difference in such a devastating issue around Colorado.” Said Jennifer Friesner, sophomore psychology major. “I’m afraid for the future of Greeley.”

Although Longmont’s action of outlawing could potentially push Coloradans in the right direction, Fox said that there’s still plenty of work to be done to stop the disturbing effects. He wants everyone to know that the danger is not just in the backyard of Greeley, but also in the backyard to our 7 billion neighbors.

“We wouldn’t be here if we were giving up,” Fox said.  

America and UNC students have witnessed history

 

The usual work out crowd has gathered at the University of Northern Colorado’srecreation center on Tuesday evening. The televisions are set to the election results on Fox and students working out seemed less amused than expected.

            Tonight is the night that PresidentBarack Obama is either going to be reelected or replaced by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Students ride the bike with their headphones in their ears and glance up at the changing results every once and awhile. Other students look at their Ipods and seem almost annoyed by the history going on around them. Students who are steadily jogging on the treadmills look up at the television but still have an empty expression plastered on their face. Maybe because they’re out of breath and any emotion besides exhaustion seem impossible while running that fast. Others have their eyes permanently glued to the TV as they watch what states fall into what candidate’s hands. Whatever the case, within the next few hours the 2012 presidential election will be over.

6:00 p.m.

            Polls are beginning to close around the country and votes are being tallied. This is just the beginning of the race with not even half of the states being accounted for yet. But at this point, some students at the recreation center seem hopeful for the candidate they have chosen.

“If Obama wins he will be able to finish what he started if given the opportunity to do his job as president” said Jasmine Oglesby, senior elementary education major. “Romney has great ambitions, but he has not given a plan which makes me not trust his word and essentially sway to the other side.”

            This is just the beginning of what seems like a long road ahead to victory.

7:00 p.m.

            At this point in the night, the main controversy is what candidate is going to win over the state of Virginia. If Obama wins Virginia there’s a good chance he could win the entire election. If Romney is in favor, Obama will be left to rely on states like Ohio, Florida and Wisconsin to beat Romney.

            At 7:45 p.m. the states of Virginia, Florida and Ohio are the closest in numbers. Virginia keeps going back and forth with Florida in a close running with Romney winning by .02 percent. When politicians said it was going to be a close race, they weren’t lying for a change.

            Within Colorado specifically, votes are also being tallied for the controversial issue of Amendment 64. The amendment, if passed, will allow Colorado citizens 21 years of age and older to legally carry and use a small amount of marijuana. If the amendment passes, marijuana will be taxed and regulated under the same circumstances as alcohol. Although there are still possible restrictions within city limits by the federal government, UNC students agreed that this was an important issue to vote on this election.

            “I voted no on 64,” said Terra Cozzolino, senior nursing major. “Legalizing marijuana could potentially lead to even more illicit drugs being legalized in the future. If there’s no starting point than we won’t have to worry about a stopping point.”

 

8:00 p.m.

            More people have been piling into the recreation center for their Tuesday night routine. But it becomes more apparent that in the back of their minds the likelihood of a new president is a possibility as numbers begin to flash across the screen. At about 8:45 p.m. Obama is in the front of Colorado with a 51 to 47 percent lead. Obama voters seem to get nervous and Romney voters still seem to have hope.

9:00 p.m.

            A male student starts to chant “Obama!” as more results begin to flash on the screen. At 9:20 p.m. Obama had a total of 257 electoral votes with Romney falling behind at 203. Swing states like our own, Florida and Nevada are too close to call at this point, but Obama fans are slowly beginning to exhale.

“If Obama wins I think it will be relief for women around the country,” said Sarah Rigato, sophomore elementary education major. “Some of the things Romney was proposing felt like they would have taken drastic measures to regress women’s rights.”

10:00 p.m.

            Cheers start to echo through the recreation center from Obama fans as they find out that he won Ohio and Colorado. Those were the last two states the final result was lying upon. Along with the news of Obama pulling forward, Amendment 64 results showed that the amendment would pass. Hickenlooper appeared on the screen with announcements about the fact that it will still depend on federal government regulations. Students all around the recreation center stare at the screen in either relief or astonishment.

            Obama fans exhale and Romney fans take in the fact that another four years will go by before a Republican will run for president again. It’s been a long road to victory, but Amendment 64 regulations will soon be announced and Obama’s proposition to “Move Forward” are in full swing.