Audio

Members of Occupy Mansfield choose Bill Baker as a person to send to Columbus for the protest on Jan. 10, regarding the issue of hydraulic fracturing. Baker said some people might be over-reacting in their environmental concerns about fracking. But he said it’s important to seek out the facts about this issue, instead of relying on information from the gas and oil industries. For solid data he recommends the Department of Environmental Conservation of the state of New York.

www.dec.ny.gov/energy/75370.html

“I can go there for reference and actually learn about both sides of the issue.”

Baker has been involved with Occupy Mansfield since October, helping them to raise money for a women’s and children’s shelter there as well as support for small businesses. He said the issue of fracking suits the Occupy Movement.

“Corporate America’s frenzy to get rich has snowed us over and pushed this industry on us without really guaranteeing us a safe environment and good jobs.”

As for ‘renewable’ energy, Baker agreed there might be better terms to use given that solar technology requires rare earth materials and involves toxic materials in the manufacturing process. But he also agreed using solar technology may involve a net benefit to the natural (as well as the political) environment.

Howard Markert from Youngstown Ohio is a Green Party candidate for Mahoning County Commissioner.

Markert said hydraulic fracturing is not new.

“It’s been in use for more than 60 years. What’s new is the combination of the horizontal drilling technique, which has only been around for about 15 years, and the high volume slick water concept. Instead of tens of thousands or 50,000 gallons of water per well, they’re using anywhere from 8 to 10 million gallons of water per well; and anywhere from 7,500 to 50,000 gallons of concentrated chemicals.”

Market said those who say there are no alternatives to fracking for providing the energy to run modern society should look to Germany.

“Currently, Germany, a country four times the size of Ohio, produces more than 40 percent of their energy from renewables. They produce more energy from solar panels---both photovoltaic and thermal---than all of North America combined. Yet they’re farther north than Ohio, and have only 50 percent of the available solar energy that we do.”

Markert said public policy explains the difference between Germany and the United States.

“Germany’s government have been very proactive in making sure that subsidies and incentives are put in place to encourage the development of green energy alternatives and discourage the use of fossil fuels through taxes.”