Michigan’s economy -- from fishing, boating and tourism to agriculture and manufacturing -- depends on water and our other natural resources. Unfortunately, a new natural gas extraction method, called multi-stage horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” threatens the safety of those resources. 

This new type of fracking uses 100 times more water than traditional drilling and extraction methods, and has led to similar increases in the volume of dangerous chemicals injected underground that threaten to permanently pollute Michigan’s water. A recent Congressional report listed 750 chemicals and compounds used in the fracking process, 29 of which are either known or possible human carcinogens or are regulated by the federal government because of other risks to human health.

Tell Governor Snyder and the State Legislature to Stop and Think about Fracking!

In other states, thousands of environmental contamination incidents from fracking have been reported. A February 7, 2011, spill in Michigan connected to shallow drilling served as a warning signal that we should pause and examine all aspects of natural gas production before it is allowed to proceed.

Our state’s regulations fail to adequately address the dangers presented by this new fracking process. The current permitting process not only gives natural gas and oil companies that are taking water away from local waterways special treatment not afforded large water users in Michigan, but it is shrouded in a veil of secrecy with no public disclosure of the chemicals being used and no opportunity for public comments.