PITTSBURGH — More than 100 protests against the natural gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, are planned across the globe for Saturday, and organizers are using an overly simplified message to draw people out and spur outrage.
The GlobalFrackdown website that’s promoting the protests claims the process “pollutes water and makes people sick.” There is disagreement among scientists, however, about the risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency and many state regulators contend fracking can be done safely. They say the boom in natural gas production has created jobs and lowered prices for business and consumers.
The American Lung Association says natural gas has helped reduce air pollution as many dirtier coal-fired power plants shift to natural gas.
In Colorado, a protest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roger’s Grove, 220 Hover Road, in Longmont. Other protests sites include Pittsburgh, New York, Paris and Madrid. The Associated Press
