With the hyperbole, histrionics and outrageous antics reaching fever pitch among all candidates vying for the White House these days, it’s understandable that truly important things are going to get by under the radar.
We can’t let the fracking thing get lost in the mayhem, though.
Last week during the Democratic presidential debate in Michigan, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders said they would essentially work to end fracking across the country, including in Colorado.
Their remarks are shortsighted and clearly not based on either science nor a firm grasp of the reality of the country’s energy systems.
Both candidates were using the lead-poisoned Flint water scandal as a way to hype Democratic environmentalist capital.
Clinton, pandering to genuine environmental fears, said she would essentially regulate fracking to death, imposing so many conditions that it would no longer be profitable or even possible.
That’s the kind of shady antics being pulled in Texas right now where anti-abortion Republicans have regulated abortion clinics out of existence. Tawdry Republicans behind the sham then lie by saying they have only the interests of pregnant women in mind. The U.S. Supreme Court is now charged with weighing on whether Texas lawmakers can get away with such disingenuousness.
Sanders was far less coy about it, saying he outright opposes fracking everywhere.
This from two candidates who rightfully and regularly wallop many Republicans for ignoring the science about global climate change?
Where’s the science that says that all fracking in all conditions is bad for the environment, bad for the economy, bad for the planet or exacerbates global climate change? It doesn’t exist.
No doubt there are many areas in the country where fracking must be prohibited to protect people and the planet. But right here in Colorado, numerous businesses have responsibly and safely extracted huge amounts of natural gas and oil using fracking technology — for decades.
Right now, a substantial credit for the recovering economy must be paid to falling energy prices and the jobs, right here in Colorado, that the energy sector is responsible for creating. Real science and research shows than an outright ban on fracking would have a huge impact on the energy market, and you can rest assured that impact won’t benefit private and commercial consumers.
In a perfect world, we would rapidly abandon all fossil fuels and run the world on cheap and plentiful wind, solar and other enviro-friendly energies.
We’re not there yet. We stand firmly behind federal and statewide “carrot-and-stick” efforts to move the country in that direction, but policy and practical decisions must be made on solid science and economic research, not political gain or expediency.
On the other side of this inanity are a large field of Republicans who are just as wrong in trying to fight fracking regulations. The “drill, baby, drill” mentality is equally as dangerous and irresponsible and only lends credence and influence to those who seek to ban all fracking.
Both Sanders and Clinton need to back off their baseless claims and embrace policies that ensure local control and responsible development, as well as a strategic, realistic and responsible national energy plan that results in net near-term and long-term reductions in green-house gas emissions.
Anything less isn’t credible or responsible.