Gasland's Josh Fox on Three Big Lies of Natural Gas

Gasland's Josh Fox on Three Big Lies of Natural Gas (VIDEO) : TreeHugger

As for the panel and conversation with the audience, it was interesting, although not entirely surprising, to see that the majority of the questions were about the recent surge of earthquakes that have rattled Arkansas.

Since last fall there have been thousands of earthquakes in Arkansas - 30+ this week alone - many citizens were wondering if the earthquakes were connected to the hydraulic fracturing. According to the Arkansas Geological Survey as quoted in the New York Times, "while there is no discernible link between earthquakes and gas production, there is "strong temporal and spatial" evidence for a relationship between these quakes and the injection wells." However, that was enough of a connection for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission to request on Wednesday that two companies shut down 2 injection wells thought to be connected to the earthquakes.

The companies agreed to halt operations:

Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy and Clarita Operating of Little Rock told the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission on Friday that they have halted operation of the wells near Greenbrier and Guy pending the panel's next regular meeting on March 29.
While this temporary halt to operations is a small step in the right direction, it will only affect two injection wells, which means there are still other wells operating and more toxic chemicals being pumped into the ground across Arkansas.

Asked what TreeHugger readers and other people moved to action should do to make a difference, Fox laid out the big picture and the steps people should take to help get there: