That is quite a statement.

Fracking has been tied to water contamination. And, this is where the fracking apologists tie themselves into semantic knots.

They like to claim that the actual process of fracturing the rock from which oil is extracted doesn’t contaminate the water. They claim the contamination occurs elsewhere in the extraction process. As if that makes any difference to communities or individuals who have their water supplies fouled by fracking.

That specious argument is moot anyway. In 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency stated fracking can certainly affect drinking water.

And, we’re just scratching the surface of issues with fracking.

The process takes millions of gallons of water, water that has to be trucked into remote sites. The constant truck traffic deteriorates roads. It is a source of constant dust.

The generators used to operate the wells are a source of noise pollution. Drilling sites are frequently illuminated through the night. And, there is the frack fluid, a toxic mix of water, sand and chemicals, including known carcinogens like benzene.

But, in Southern Illinois, the best reason to avoid fracking is the New Madrid Fault.