Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates Pros and Cons of Fracking at Aspen Ideas Festival, July 1

New York, NY – May 31, 2012 – On July 1, Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) will partner with the Aspen Ideas Festival to present its 62nd debate, “No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom is Doing More Harm Than Good.” Natural gas, touted for its environmental, economic, and national security benefits, is often thought of as the fuel that will “bridge” our transition from oil and coal to renewables. The ability to extract natural gas from shale formations through a method called hydraulic fracturing has unleashed vast, untapped sources—by some estimates, the U.S. now sits on a 100-year supply. But contamination from toxic chemicals used in the fracking process has been the source of increasing health and environmental concerns. Can natural gas be part of a clean energy solution, or is it a dangerous roadblock to a fossil-free future?

In support of the motion are Managing Attorney at Earthjustice—the world’s first and largest nonprofit environmental law firm—Deborah Goldberg and Katherine Hudson, Watershed Program Director at Riverkeeper, a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents. Against the motion are New York Times op-ed columnist Joe Nocera and Susan Tierney, former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy and current Managing Principal at Analysis Group where she specializes in the electric and gas industries.

Intelligence Squared U.S.'s debates are streamed live on Fora.tv and air on more than 220 NPR stations nationwide. Debates are televised nationally on the WORLD channel and in the New York area on PBS Channel Thirteen, WNET, WLIW, and NJTV.

ABC News correspondent John Donvan is the moderator, and the executive producer is Dana Wolfe.

Stream via Fora.TV:
http://bit.ly/Lj8vwJ 

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates “No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom is Doing More Harm Than Good.” 
WHEN: Sunday, July 1/ Reception 6:00-6:45 PM MDT/ Debate 7:00-8:45 PM MDT
WHERE: The Aspen District Theater / 335 High School Rd, Aspen, CO 81611
Tickets: $25. To purchase http://www.aifestival.org/. 

The debate will take place in front of a live audience at The Aspen District Theater in Aspen, Colorado. Audience members will vote to decide the winning team in this provocative debate. 

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES (IQ2US)

Named One of “Five Podcasts that Will Change the Way You Think” by Forbes:
http://onforb.es/zWuDaI 

Rethink your point of view with Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US), Oxford-style debates.

Inspired by the highly successful debate program based in London, Intelligence Squared, Intelligence Squared U.S. has presented 61 debates on a wide range of provocative and timely topics. From global warming and the financial crisis, to Afghanistan/Pakistan and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together the world’s leading authorities on the day’s most important issues.

Since its inception in 2006, the goals of the Intelligence Squared U.S. Foundation have been to provide a new forum for intelligent discussion, grounded in facts and informed by reasoned analysis; to transcend the toxically emotional and the reflexively ideological; and to encourage recognition that the opposing side has intellectually respectable views.

The Rosenkranz Foundation initiated the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debate Series and continues to provide major support.
 
Press Contacts: 
Andrea Bussell
718.522.7171
abussell@shorefire.com 

Rebecca Shapiro
718.522.7171 
rshapiro@shorefire.com 

Mark Satlof
718.522.7171
msatlof@shorefire.com