[richlevy]

Just saw a report on TV about the significant rise in earthquakes near fracking sites.

One hypothesis is that fracking, which fractures rock, is affecting existing fault lines.

Of course, this is just a hypothesis. Since the proving of this hypothesis might damage a multi-billion dollar industry, I predict the swift hiring of battalions of lobbyists and tame scientists to delay, debate, and debunk any attempt at actual fact finding.

It took 50 years before pro-smoking forces finally folded their tents on the harmfulness of smoking.

Can the scrappy lobbyists of a nascent industry do as well as those of an entrenched industry at stopping any attempt to study an issue critical to public welfare? Only time will tell.

It is only a hypothesis at this point, so no action is needed except more study. If, however, it is true, then the millions of dollars in damages need to measured against the benefits. This might make fracking uneconomic unless the industry manages to keep forcing the public to shoulder the burden. Some businesses are good at this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...al-energy.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment...something-else