There’s been rumbling under the feet of Youngstown residents lately, and it has nothing to do with the increased consumption of chili during the winter months. It goes deeper than that — much deeper. It’s hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” and its offspring, the Class II deep-injection well. Earthquakes aren’t Ohio’s only problem. Before continuing, let’s go over what fracking is and what Class II injection wells are. In its simplest terms, fracking is a process that releases natural gas from rocks underground. Wells are drilled vertically, and then horizontally, into shale deposits. Then millions of gallons of chemical-loaded water, called brine, are pumped at insane pressures into the rock. The water fractures the shale, releases the natural gas, and everybody gives themselves a pat on the back. Ohio is currently in the midst of a natural-gas gold rush, and things couldn’t get any better. But wait: Where does the wastewater go after the fracturing? Some of the wastewater stays in the shale deposit, but much of the brew makes its way back to the surface. Since the water is loaded with a volatile mixture of secret chemicals, the brine can’t be introduced back into the environment. Enter the Class II injection well. The wells pump the dangerous cocktail thousands of feet below the surface where it can allegedly do no harm. But a series of recent earthquakes have Ohioans raising questions. The Northstar #10 injection well, located in Youngstown, is currently under investigation following a rash of minor earthquakes felt throughout the area since the well came online. After the 4.0 magnitude rocker that occurred on New Year’s Eve, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources director, James Zehringer, ordered the Northstar well and others in the area to halt production pending the results of the investigation. Dr. Jeffrey Dick, associate professor and chair of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Youngstown State University, says that though the quakes are shocking, they are also extremely rare. He’s more concerned with the possibility of spillage: “The greatest proven threat is spillage of frac fluids, either by transport or negligent operators at the well site,” he said. “Spillage is a proven threat. Every precaution must be taken, and regulations enforced, to minimize the chance of spills due to negligence and accidents.” So far, there have been any reports of major groundwater contamination in Ohio — unlike Louisiana, where 16 cattle dropped dead after drinking wastewater leaking from a well. Pennsylvania’s also had problems with cattle ingesting frac water — the USDA quarantined 28 cattle there after they grazed in a contaminated field. But no groundwater contamination doesn’t mean there haven’t been any safety violations or reports of water contamination in the state. Plunderbund.com reported that since 2000, 867 failed inspections of Ohio natural-gas wells and/or injection sites have taken place. Of those, 355 were pollution-related. “We investigate a number of water-contamination cases each year. Most have been related to surface water, not aquifers,” said Heidi Hetzel-Evans, communications manager at the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources. “When we get a water complaint, our inspectors are available 24/7. Water contamination cases are our priority.” In terms of regulations, Ohio has learned from its sister states. Still, though the Department of Natural Resources is very serious about responding to water-contamination issues, there’s one problem: ODNR does not require oil and gas companies to disclose the chemicals in their brine or the wastewater. And it’s not just Ohio. The EPA doesn’t mandate disclosure, either — at least not yet. The reason is found in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A loophole, appropriately named the “Halliburton Loophole,” excludes wells from the Safe Drinking Water Act, essentially giving them free rein to pump nearly anything into the ground. There is some movement toward requiring companies to release the chemical makeup of their brine, but as with most things in Washington, the process is slow and grueling. The FRAC ACT, a bill that closes the loophole, has died several times in Congress. Industry lobbyists often cite the cost of enacting such a policy. For now, the oil and gas companies’ secret recipes are safe, and it’s business as usual. For more information on fracking in Ohio and how to educate yourself on this new development, visit the following sites: ohiodnr.com www.dnr.state.oh.us Photo: www.flickr.com/photos/progressohio/