Renewable resources are the future of energy

Dear Editor: Numerous commercials extol the virtues of “natural” gas. Pictures of happy bus drivers, blue skies and lovely landscapes emphasize the purity and sense of well being it brings and assure the public that pollution of the atmosphere is being avoided. In addition, producing natural gas assures us here in the U.S. of fuel independence.

It is true that burning natural gas is less polluting than burning oil. However, the catch is that two-thirds of natural gas is produced by fracking. And fracking has been demonstrated to destroy aquifers, land and rock formations, and is suspected of causing earthquakes.

Furthermore, there is no shortage of fuel, and the falling cost of gas is due to overproduction here and abroad. There is no reason to believe companies engaged in the fossil fuel business will not continue to export their products in search of a market. The claim that there is a need or benefit to achieving “fuel independence” is pure hype.

The possibility of producing energy for all our needs through renewable resources is real. Companies are gaining expertise and acceptance in this production. It is time to encourage and invest in furthering this process. It is also essential that the EPA be well funded and dedicated to continue protecting the public and future generations from the very real dangers of destroying land and water by producing energy from any and all fossil fuels.

Janet Siskind, Accord