Slick Water: Andrew Nikiforuk launches book in Rosebud

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Canadian journalist and author Andrew Nikiforuk presented a book talk and launch of his newest book, Slick Water, at Rosebud’s Community Hall, Sept. 12.
The event was attended by over 75 people from numerous Alberta communities including Rosebud, Drumheller, Kathyrn, Didsbury, Red Deer, Fox Creek, Airdrie and Lethbridge. Guests from the Green Party, Wheatland County Council, University of Lethbridge and Greensence Environmental were also present, as were representatives of Rosebud Theatre and Rosebud School of the Arts.
Slick Water, subtitled Fracking and One Insider’s Stand Against the World’s Most Powerful Industry, centers on the story of Jessica Ernst, a Rosebud-area resident who’s been engaged in a lawsuit against Encana, the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Alberta government since 2008, when she reported that fracking had made her well water undrinkable and unsafe to use.
Nikiforuk presented the history and evolution of hydraulic fracturing, informally known as fracking. He explained that fracking involves injecting water, sand and chemicals into underground rock at high pressure, in order to release the petroleum resources attached to that rock. As much greater force is now used in the process than when fracking began in the mid-19th century, there’s growing risk that harmful levels of gases such as methane will be released into surrounding aquifers.
Ernst also spoke, receiving a standing ovation when she was introduced and another when she concluded. She said she’d come to Rosebud to live a quiet, peaceful life, but when her water was ruined, she wanted accountable people to be accountable, but they wouldn’t. So she took on a legal case that’s ended up lasting over seven years. It has taken a toll on her physical body, and brought worldwide attention to fracking, to Rosebud and to Ernst herself.
“The greatest thing so far (in the lawsuit) has been this event,” Ernst said, pointing out the number of communities represented. She emphasized the power in community and said, “my lawsuit is your lawsuit.”
Ernst said she believes it’s not possible to frack safely, because if it were, energy regulating bodies around the world would ensure it was done safely. Instead, she gave several examples of regulating bodies covering up the dangers and damages of fracking. When she asked the crowd, “how many people here think fracking can be made safe with regulation?” there was silence. She concluded, “no one here.”
Ernst said she hears from engineers and other oil and gas workers who express concern about the risks of injury that fracking poses to themselves and their fellow workers. They also refer to the contamination of groundwater. She said they ask themselves, ‘do we want to be poisoning children?’.
She expressed hope that we can find a better way to obtain energy.
“We (human beings) have the most incredible imagination of any species,” she said. “We can create healthy jobs.”
After the presentations, Nikiforuk and Ernst answered audience questions, which indicated audience members’ support for Ernst in her lawsuit, concern about the safety of their own water, and an increased desire to challenge the practice of fracking, both provincially and globally.
Slick Water: Fracking and One Insider’s Stand Against the World’s Most Powerful Industry is available at online outlets and in major bookstores. Fifteen per cent of the book’s proceeds go to help Jessica Ernst fund her lawsuit.