http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/09/10625517-fracking-waste-led-to-earthquakes-ohio-says-in-adding-new-rules

According to an article by Miranda Leitsinger of msnbc.com, there were a dozen earthquakes that struck the Youngstown area of Ohio in 2011.  The quakes, which began in March, all ranged from 2.1 to 4.0 magnitude with the 4.0 quake coming on December 31.  The 4.0 earthquake caused Governor John Kasich to suspend the activity of several waste water wells, who are believed to be the cause of the disturbances.  The water treatment centers are not designed to dispose of some of the contaminants in the waste water from fracking.  As a result, the drillers just re-inject the waste back into the ground.  According to scientists, the re-injection of waste water combined with a few other certain circumstances could cause the earthquakes.  This assumption is reinforced due to the almost obvious timing of the tremors coming a few months after drill sites were established in the area.

As a result of these events, stricter regulations for drilling sites were handed down by the state Department of Natural Resources.  Due to the new regulations, gas companies are required to provide precise geographical information on the area, which include known fault lines in the region.  Drill sites must utilize advanced pressure and volume monitoring devices to keep track of seismic activity.  The Department of Natural Resources also banned further drilling in the affected area of the quakes.

I believe that the regulations set forth by the Department of Natural Resources are a great step in the right direction of making fracking safe.  But I still hold my stance that hydraulic fracturing should be banned all together.  The thought of an earthquake is scary in itself, let alone knowing the cause of it and giving those responsible just a slap on the wrist and a set of new rules.  There should be further punishments handed down by the state for putting the citizens of the area in danger.

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_Y812W8xqJzW1WC9TlSQNVxrkyYnOV4c-RbpqKbjm-lJ7lg-XlA