The recent guest column by George Sharpe of Merrion Oil & Gas with the headline, “No evidence people living near wells in danger,” only serves to further divide Colorado communities and their residents.
A quick online search showed over a million dollars in Merrion fines. Four Corners residents live under the largest methane cloud in the nation, thanks to the fossil fuels industry. Volatile organic compounds (gases emitted during fossil fuel production) contribute to health problems such as asthma, lung infections, bronchitis and cancer, according to an April 12 news story in The Journal about Matador fines.
I bet Sharpe doesn’t have an active well anywhere near his house – and you might not want one either. Both sides deserve to be heard without demonizing the activists.
I did agree with one idea Sharpe shared – it’s time the industry goes away all on its own. The sooner the better. We can do so much better if we work together.
Jennifer Jane Singer
Dolores
