Don’t be so paranoid about plans of oil-and-gas drilling companies

To the Editor:

The oil-and gas industry isn't out to get us! They need the landowners; we own the minerals. It's unrealistic to think they're going to burn all their bridges. That would ultimately drive them out of business.

To be honest, there are a few monsters out there that should be hung, but you'll find fault in every industry if that's ALL you're looking for! But you have to trust in America. We learn from our mistakes. There are more environmental safeguards in place than ever.

My family has been living and farming here for 200 years. This is our home and we want to preserve it for our heirs. We did not enter into our lease lightly. We researched and researched everything we could find including visiting well sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Then we found the most landowner friendly lease possible. We had spent days talking to random people around the drilling towns and could not find one person with anything bad to say.

What we found was that people were pleased that these companies were trying to keep everyone happy. There were even more safety measures put in place than were required by law. Sure, they are definitely going to be noticed, but that's temporary. The land has to be reclaimed and all that's left is a fenced in pad of a few little acres. That's a small price to pay to do our duty as U.S. citizens. I am proud to have the opportunity to do something so big to help our country become free of dependence on the oil in the Middle East.

Most everyone would agree that the earth needs to be greener, but you just can't force it to happen. The industry is already highly regulated. They are already disclosing fracking chemicals and doing water testing before and after fracking. Some companies are now recycling 100% of their frack water and surely others will follow suit as the technology now exists.

The P.A.V.E. (People Against Virtually Everything) have forced us to give up water power because it might kill a fish we can't eat anyway. They say wind power might harm a bird or bat. And Obama spent billions on solar power only to find out that it's not economically feasible. So, what's left?

We need this for our country. And, we need to quit being too unrealistically green and give the technology time to be developed. The P.A.V.E. and all their regulations are what are forcing U.S. industries to go overseas! If you need something to do, get a recycling drop-off on State Street; that would be realistic and doable.

We all have to be willing to accept doing with what we have until science gives us something better. Show some confidence in our country and support economic growth!

Sherry Chase
Albany