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Join Clean Water Action, the University of Michigan College Democrats, and a host of other sponsors as they show GASLAND, the critically-acclaimed, Oscar-nominated documentary that chronicles how a new method of drilling for natural gas - known as hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking, or simply fracking - is unlocking huge underground gas reserves ... but does it pose too grave a threat of contaminating our air, groundwater, and drinking supplies?

Stick around after the film for a panel discussion with experts in the field about how the issues raised in the film pertain to Michigan. Still curious? Bring your questions to our Q-&-A session with the panelists to close out the night.

Whatever else this new and controversial method of drilling has generated, it has certainly generated a great deal of questions. To aid in answering the most common questions, Clean Water Action has prepared this four-part primer on the fracking process itself, its associated dangers, pertinent laws (or lack thereof) that regulate it, and our proposed regulatory solutions.

Fracking: The Process

This fact sheet gives a step-by-step overview of how fracking is used as a gas extraction method.

Clean Water Action of Michigan is proposing a comprehensive set of reforms that will reduce the risk that fracking poses to public and environmental health, as well as our invaluable natural resources.

Fracking is exempt from key federal environmental regulations.

The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 contained a provision that has come to be known as the "Halliburton Loophole," an exemption for gas drilling and extraction from requirements in the underground injection control (UIC) program of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  Other exemptions are also present in the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

Fracking uses a toxic chemical cocktail known as fracking fluid.

• Companies using fracking fluid have resisted disclosing the contents of fracking fluid, claiming the information is proprietary.
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Fracking - also called hydro-fracking or, officially, horizontal drilling coupled with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing - is a relatively new process of natural gas extraction. Here's a step-by-step look:

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Michigan is experiencing a veritable gold rush on recently located natural gas reserves in the Northern Lower Peninsula. This onslaught was launched by a May 2010 mineral rights auction that generated $178 million in revenue, which crushed the previous single-auction record of $23.6 million set in 1981. In fact, the May 2010 auction revenue nearly surpassed the $190 million in total auction revenue raised since the state first started selling the drilling rights in 1929.

Fix Broken Sewers to Safeguard Public, Toughen Enforcement

LANSING, MI- Clean Water Action today announced a multi-part water protection program intended to safeguard public health, local economies and Michigan's unique quality of life, pledging to work with the Legislature and Governor Snyder to make the plan a success.

The highlights of the plan include working with the Legislature to use funds already available for water-related projects to fix and upgrade Michigan's outdated, broken sewer system--a move that will reduce pollution that closes beaches, sickens thousands of people every year and impacts local economies, especially with summer approaching. The plan also calls for strengthening standards to reduce septic pollution.

Michigan's unique water resources must be protected. They are essential to Michigan's tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and other industries. "Pure Michigan" is built upon a Great Lakes way of life.

Michigan is literally defined by its water - the Great Lakes and our many other water treasures. When we think of Pure Michigan, we picture clean beaches, safe drinking water, abundant habitat for fish and wildlife, healthy people, and energy choices that protect our water; we
picture a virtual water wonderland. But how can we be sure the foundation of our way of life is preserved now and for future generations at a time when some are calling for repeal of water protection regulations and extreme reductions in funding for environmental protections?

Statement in response to Governor Snyder's First State of the State Address

Lansing, MI- It remains to be seen whether Governor Snyder's focus on Pure Michigan is a genuine commitment to protecting the Great Lakes and other natural treasures or if it's simply a slogan.