Lawmaker Questions ACS Journal Editor

Harris took issue with part of the editorial that described the documentary Gasland, a film critical of hydraulic fracturing, a drilling method often called fracking that uses water, sand, and chemicals to free natural gas from shale. The lawmaker attacked Schnoor’s use of the phrase “in addition to causing tap water to burn” in connection to hydraulic fracturing.

“A scientist uses words very specifically,” Harris said. “You used the word ‘cause,’ a very specific scientific word that means there is a cause and effect.

“I looked through the entire literature yesterday and I couldn’t find scientific evidence that hydrofracturing caused anybody’s tap water to burn,” Harris said. “In fact there’s overwhelming evidence that it was not a result of gas coming from deep sources.”

“You chose to use the word ‘cause’ as a scientist. Does that mean when you write an opinion piece you use different words than when you write a science piece?” Harris said.

As Schnoor began to answer that the phrase was used in describing the documentary, Harris cut him off. The lawmaker said he wanted the scientist’s answer in writing.

“I’m going to ask you to submit proof of the use of the word ‘cause’ because I looked over the science. I’m convinced that the overwhelming evidence is that it [hydrofracturing] didn’t cause it,” Harris said.

Schnoor tells C&EN, “I did not conclude that ‘fracking’ necessarily caused water to catch fire from natural gas contamination.” He adds, “But that is what was implied in the documentary Gasland.”

The legislator’s line of questioning came two days after he convened a hearing on a draft EPA report that tentatively concludes that hydraulic fracturing contaminated an aquifer in Wyoming. Some Republicans contend the study is part of an EPA attempt to stop this method of gas extraction.