The Natural State

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Intro and Outro

Things have been looking good economically in Faulkner County, Arkansas, thanks to a modern day gold rush ... this one, for natural gas. Since 2005, more three thousand natural gas wells have been drilled in the area, in a formation known as the Fayetteville Shale. Each of these wells was hydro-fractured or “fracked,” a controversial technique in which millions of gallons of water – and some chemicals - are injected into the shale, breaking the rock and allowing extraction of embedded natural gas.
Almost everyone in the town of Greenbrier has a story about how the natural gas industry has benefited families and friends. But recently, residents have had to contend with another, absolutely unexpected boom. A swarm of mysterious earthquakes began last fall along an ancient and heretofore unknown fault between Greenbrier and the tiny town of Guy. There’s been only minor damage so far, and no one has been hurt, but the shaking earth has nonetheless rattled people’s psyches.
Producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister went to Arkansas to talk to people about what's going on under their feet ... both the extraction of natural gas, and the multitude of small earthquakes. And they shared the community's voices with musician Bonnie “Prince” Billy, who contributed an original song. The story is called "The Natural State."

audio

The companies which operate the injection wells refused to grant an interview for this story. A spokesman for one of a companies said in an email that the earthquakes are a (quote) ‘natural event’ (end quote)
Meanwhile, natural gas extraction continues in the area, with wastewater being trucked to remote sites.
"The Natural State” was produced by Elizabeth Meister and Dan Collison for Long Haul Productions. “Mother Nature Kneels” was written and performed by Bonnie “Prince” Billy. The companies which operate the injection wells refused to grant an interview for this story. A spokesman for one of a companies said in an email that the earthquakes are a (quote) ‘natural event’ (end quote)
Meanwhile, natural gas extraction continues in the area, with wastewater being trucked to remote sites.
"The Natural State” was produced by Elizabeth Meister and Dan Collison for Long Haul Productions. “Mother Nature Kneels” was written and performed by Bonnie “Prince” Billy. To hear the entire song, go to www.longhaulpro.org. Partial funding provided by KCRW, Santa Monica and its Independent Producer Project.

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