A team of researchers led by Yale University have just published a new “peer reviewed” study that finds fracking does not contaminate water aquifers. Mainstream media’s response? Crickets. Nothing. Why is that? Here’s something even better: One of the researchers who participated in the study is none other than Avner Vengosh from Duke University, who, using Park Foundation money, previously published studies stating the opposite (see Duke Hit Piece on Shale Water Usage from Same Park-Sponsored Prof). It seems Vengosh has changed his tune and now admits fracking doesn’t contaminate ground water after all. Looks like Vengosh won’t be getting a Christmas card from the Park Foundation this year. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and titled “Elevated levels of diesel range organic compounds in groundwater near Marcellus gas operations are derived from surface activities” (abstract below), finds that when diesel and other types of chemicals *are* found in ground water in the Marcellus Shale region, it’s because of a spill on the surface–and not necessarily a spill from a truck or operation involved with shale drilling. There are many industrial activities that have accidents and spill chemicals…
