Gasland Documentary Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is hydraulic fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing (fracing) involves injecting water and other materials deep into the ground to fracture geological layers and release natural gas.

Who signed the Clean Water Act into law in 1972?

Richard Nixon

The Energy Policy Act provided exemptions for the oil and gas industries. What laws were they exempt from? (Select all that apply)

Clean Air Act (correct)

Superfund Law (correct)

All environmental regulations

Clean Water Act (correct)

Safe Drinking Water Act (correct)

What government agency oversees environmental regulations?

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Signup and view all the answers

What year did hydraulic fracturing receive an exemption from these laws?

2005 Signup and view all the answers

What possible conflicts of interest existed with the Vice President for passing the exemptions to the Clean Water Act?

The exemption allows drilling and fracking companies to inject unknown materials, involving a company where he was the CEO, and it waived liability for damages. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Marcellus Shale rock formation located?

Catskill, Pocono, and Appalachian Mountain ranges: States include Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia Signup and view all the answers

What health effects were experienced by the residents of Dimock, the community drilled by Cabot Oil and Gas? (Select all that apply)

Headaches Signup and view all the answers

What changes in water quality were observed? (Select all that apply)

Metallic taste Signup and view all the answers

Why is this area of Colorado referred to as the 'Red Zone'?

Red dots on the map represent all the gas wells. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the water light on fire?

It is full of natural gas, including methane. Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms were observed in nature near these gas well sites?

Loss of hair, projectile vomiting, terrestrial birds and mammals shaking or quivering, as well as fish kills in nearby streams. Signup and view all the answers

What is trichlorobenzene?

An organic compound involved in the fracking process. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the EPA is 'not present' as defined by Weston Wilson.

Because the Energy Policy Act provides a waiver or protection where the EPA does not have oversight. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the reverse osmosis system ineffective at filtering the water?

Reverse osmosis does not prevent toxic chemicals from passing through the membrane used to make the water safe to consume. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Lewis Meeks' new water well was drilled?

Natural gas exploded out of his new water well. Signup and view all the answers

What was the gas company required to do as a result?

They had to cement the well to stop the flow and replace the water source. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the quality of the water that comes out of the Meeks' water well.

It smells like turpentine, is very flammable, and not fit for consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical and chemical properties of glycol ethers?

Odorless, colorless, and can be manufactured into plastics when burned. Signup and view all the answers

What effects does natural gas drilling and fracturing have on John Fenton's cattle farms? (Select all that apply)

Ruins the grass and food for the cows Signup and view all the answers

What is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and what rights does the American public have to it?

The land is available to the public; it is protected nature for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Signup and view all the answers

How many truckloads of hydraulic fracturing water must be brought in?

400-600 trucks for each well. Signup and view all the answers

How much of the water injected into the well is actually recovered?

Only half of it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the flowback pits?

Before the water can be hauled away, it has to be emptied into a pit. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hydraulic Fracturing and Legislation

Hydraulic fracturing (fracing) involves injecting water and other materials to fracture geological layers and extract natural gas.
Richard Nixon signed the Clean Water Act into law in 1972.
The Energy Policy Act exempts the oil and gas industries from the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund law, and other environmental regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees environmental regulations.
Hydraulic fracturing received legal exemptions in 2005.

Conflicts of Interest and Local Impact

Vice President's conflicts of interest involved financial ties to drilling and fracking companies, waiving liability for damages.
Marcellus Shale rock formation spans regions in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia, specifically within the Catskill, Pocono, and Appalachian mountain ranges.
Residents of Dimock experienced health issues such as stomach aches, headaches, hair loss, weight loss, and vomiting in animals.

Water Quality and Environmental Concerns

Changes in water quality observed included fizzing, muddy colors, and a metallic taste.
The area in Colorado labeled the "Red Zone" shows gas well locations marked by red dots.
Water ignited due to high methane concentrations.
Ecosystem symptoms near gas wells included hair loss in animals, projectile vomiting, and fish kills.

Chemicals and Legal Oversight

Trichlorobenzene is an organic compound used in the fracking process.
EPA absence highlighted by a waiver in the Energy Policy Act preventing oversight and law enforcement on exempt processes.
Reverse osmosis systems failed to filter toxic chemicals, with potential for membrane dissolution.

Specific Cases and Consequences

Lewis Meeks' water well exploded from natural gas presence during drilling.
The gas company was required to cement the well, stop gas flow, and replace the water source, losing profit in the process.
Meeks' water well produced a chemical-smelling, flammable liquid unfit for consumption.

Chemical Properties and Agricultural Impact

Glycol ethers are odorless, colorless, and can form plastics when burned.
Natural gas drilling devastated John Fenton's cattle farms, ruining grass supply and impacting business viability.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is public wilderness protected for present and future generations' enjoyment.

Hydraulic Fracturing Logistics

Hydraulic fracturing wells require 400-600 truckloads of water.
Only about fifty percent of the injected water is recovered after the process.
Flowback pits are necessary for temporarily storing water before disposal.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts presented in the Gasland documentary. This quiz covers topics such as hydraulic fracturing and important legislation affecting water and energy policies. Be prepared to explore the implications of these issues on the environment and society.