PBS: In Poland, Pursuing Valuable Energy Deep in the Earth Fuels Dissent Above Ground

SUMMARY
Poland recently eased regulations on fracking, with the hope that shale gas will boost the economy, reduce energy dependence and prices. But local residents fear their concerns are taking a backseat to progress. Special correspondent Steve Sapienza reports, as part of a collaboration with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

Transcript
JEFFREY BROWN: And, finally tonight, we turn to Poland, where there's a familiar controversy surrounding new energy exploration.

Our story is part of a collaboration with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, and comes from special correspondent Steve Sapienza.

STEVE SAPIENZA: Northern Poland, a rustic region of freshwater lakes, forests and villages, and thousands of feet below the surface, a potential fortune in natural gas trapped in shale rock. Energy companies are already drilling here, using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a controversial method of gas extraction imported from the United States.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We believe that there's the capacity technologically to extract that gas in a way that is entirely safe. And what we want to do is to be able to share our expertise and technology with Poland.  MORE