Meet the Frackers: Energy Independence or Environmental Nightmare? 2012
Distributed by Films Media Group, 132 West 31st St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001; 800-257-5126
Produced by Steve Taylor and Ian Altschwager
Director n/a
DVD, 27 min.
Sr. High - General Adult
Environmentalism, Ethics, Urban Areas
Date Entered: 09/05/2013
Reviewed by Angela R Davis, Reference Librarian, Genesee Community College, Batavia, NYMeet the Frackers: Energy Independence or Environmental Nightmare? explores the question if the practice of fracking shale for oil will lead to US energy independence. As always there are two sides to this issue. Both sides are explored by focusing on the Dallas suburb of Lakeland, TX where the practice of fracking has divided the town. On one side of the issue are those opposed to fracking in residential neighborhoods. Their main concern is that there has been no research into the effect of fracking byproducts on those living in close proximity to fracking operations.
Their concerns about these effects are compounded by the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) response to these concerns. The API official interviewed states that “fracking operations follow standards that prevent environmental contamination and human exposure to toxic byproducts of fracking.” The API official also states that individuals need to bring their concerns about fracking to their local state regulator or pursue legal actions against individual fracking operations. This does not adequately address the health and environmental issues that those oppose to fracking have in Lakeland, TX. These individuals want a long term study to determine if fracking is safe to have in residential neighborhoods. Until this research is done they will continue to fight new fracking operations in their neighborhood.
On the other side of the fracking divide are those in favor of fracking. These individuals are enticed by the lucrative money to be made. This is illustrated in North Dakota where fracking has revitalized the state’s economy similar to the historical land and gold rushes in the US. These parallels exist in Lakeland, TX where individuals opposed to fracking have been seduced by the income—up to $7,000 a week.
Meet the Frackers tries to show both sides of the fracking issue and while both sides of are presented, they are not treated equally. Fracking organizations are shown as only being concerned about the bottom dollar. And those opposed to fracking are portrayed as having great reason to be concerned about the effects that fracking can have on human health and the environment. Because of these factors Meet the Frackers is recommended with reservations.