Fracking will foul our water

IN THIS era of quickly clicking through images and articles, people see “fracking” and their eyes glaze over and they turn to something else. So why should the average person be concerned about fracking? Imagine putting just one drop of motor oil into a glass of water. In actuality a single drop of oil contaminates a million drops of water. Compound that by thousands of gallons of petroleum, benzene, sulphuric acid and hundreds of other toxins used in fracking.

What about regulations? Currently in Sandoval County there are very few, and they are not enforced. The horrific accident in San Juan County last summer has still not been taken care of, and no fines (have been assessed) to the Oklahoma company that is still drilling out there. Meanwhile, the storage containers are still leaking. Chaco Canyon, one of our state treasures, is now home to holding ponds of toxic waste. The roads are being destroyed by the huge truck traffic. The oil and gas industry has a very poor record of cleaning up their sites. Right now the EPA is effectively muzzled. Our state regulatory commission is filled with former oil and gas executives. Any hope of proper oversight must come from the Sandoval County Commission.

Our thoughts and prayers went out to the people in Standing Rock. However, the contamination of our water and air is happening right here in our backyard. Please research what fracking has done all over the country. We are the next target. Please call the Sandoval County commissioners. If you can, go to the meeting June 15. Or very soon what little water we have will be contaminated. JACKIE L. COOMBES Rio Rancho