Article Summary & Environmental Injustice - Research Paper Example

The enlargement of the mining industry has led to the development of newer and unconventional well leaks that are more dangerous that it has been admitted by authorities. Locating these mines in the area was fuelled by both economic and political forces. Many people believed that the extraction of natural gas and oil will lead to an economic milestone in the region. The politicians and leaders in this are therefore supported the move unquestioningly. Whereas economic gains were realised, further development was faulty.

In addition, lack of environmental control and monitoring of the activities and their effects on the environment led to disastrous results. Recent results suggest that methane leakage is a problem that is drifting across the region. The authorities have for a long time remained adamant in admitting the environmental injustice resulting from fracking. However, after several complaints by the public and activists the authority recently admitted the injustice. A total of 243 cases of private drinking wells contamination had been reported by august 2014.

The cases were widespread, occurring in 22 counties of Pennsylvania. Susquehanna, Tioga, Lycoming and Branford had the most reported cases. Fracking, besides bringing the oil and natural gas closer to the economic field, have the negative effects of leaking into the water wells. In some of the reported cases. Multiple wells within the same area were severely contaminated with methane gas and wastewater spills. This made the water in these areas undrinkable. Ground water and springs were also contaminated exposing the state to a severe health risk.

In addition, some wells dried up completely and the water shortage hit some villages more that it usually does in the dry seasons. The community, therefore, suffer directly from the faulty mining activities. Besides the fact that the water in the region is rendered inconsumable, the