CONCERNS OVER Massachusetts’ increasing reliance on natural gas are well-founded, but not for the reasons Erin Ailworth outlines (“Reliance on natural gas sparks concern,” Business, Aug. 23).
Increasing gas supply in Massachusetts will result in more fracking, a toxic shale gas drilling technique that is poisoning the air and water of communities all over the country. It also means more severe climate change, as scientific research has found that methane leaks from fracking could have a higher global warming impact than the coal that gas seeks to replace.
And if Spectra Energy follows through with discussed plans to expand gas pipelines in Massachusetts, our energy future will be in the hands of a company that received 17 citations for probable pipeline safety violations in 2011.
Gas is a dangerous proposition for our communities, from fracking sites to pipeline routes to our global climate. Instead of further increasing our dependence on this dirty fossil fuel, we need to invest in truly sustainable, zero-pollution energy solutions for our heating and electricity needs.