Since the 1940's, when first invented by the Halliburton Company, the gas and oil industries in the States have been using 'hydraulic fracturing,' or 'fracing,' in wells to break up underground gas and oil formations. The use of chemicals at super high pressure in the wells is particularly effective in releasing fossil fuels. Unfortunately the chemicals used in this process are extremely toxic and have been known to escape into the groundwater, spill onto the land and pollute the air. Great reserves of natural gas have been found near or under groundwater and in spite of the danger of spills the drilling has been going on relentlessly now in 34 of our States. Recently it has come to light this drilling practice is responsible for poisoning our drinking water. In order to protect the oil and gas industry from having to disclose the chemicals that they use in this fracing process, the 'Halliburton Loophole' was created by Dick Cheney, in secrecy, during the formation of the Bush Energy Power Act. This loophole exempts the industry from breaking the law, freeing them of any consequences and allowing them the right to inject unchecked toxic chemicals into or near our drinking water supplies.
This piece is about this loophole. There is a Cheney mask, ground water, gas bubbles and a little bit of a chemical spill.
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