Pitt professor resigns over beliefs about Marcellus shale

[PA Democrat]

<snip>

Conrad “Dan” Volz Jr. said that he is resigning over a “difference of opinion between the University and me of the proper advocacy in the world of public health.”

Volz, the director of the Center for Healthy Environments & Communities at the Graduate School of Public Health, is an open critic of Marcellus Shale drilling. He said the University has not allowed him to openly voice his dissent, although he did not cite specific instances.

Volz published research last month saying that Marcellus Shale drilling is leading to contamination of drinking water. The drilling process known as “fracking” involves shooting sand, water and chemicals into the shale to break it up to provide easy access to the gas.

The research in the report showed high levels of bromide in the Josephine brine treatment facility, located in Indiana County, Pa. Volz’s report says the treatment facility accepts water from the oil and gas industry, including the “flowback water from Marcellus Shale gas extraction operations.”

http://pittnews.com/newsstory/pitt-professor-resigns-ov

Video link of Dr. Volz on Marcellus waste water:

http://youtu.be/tWwjWFcCIgY?hd=1

[Metta]

1. I'm shocked, shocked, that Pitt would want to stifle disent.

Since it's part of their muscle memory.

[Joe Bacon]

2. Nothing new for Pitt

I still remember how they muzzled and silenced Professor Sternglass over the dangers of nuclear power.

[JPZenger]

3. Pittsburgh gets all the harm and none of the benefit

The city of Pittsburgh is downstream from most of the current and planned mining activity. They will get all of the harm and none of the benefit.

However, Pitt is currently in a budget battle with Governor Gashole, who wants to cut their state funding by 50%.