Pros And Cons Of Hydraulic Fracking

The U.S. is transitioning into a new economic era. The extraction of shale gas brings the U.S. closer to energy independence. Shale gas has appeared in various places throughout the U.S., creating a supply of gas large enough to last the U.S. over one hundred years. Hydraulic fracturing has more pros than cons on the grounds that even though it has been bothersome to people in some places, it has no negative effects on the environment with good management, it boosts the U.S. economy, it helps in the fight against climate change, and it has no proven relationship with induced earthquakes. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of extracting shale gas by producing fractures in the earth. The fractures are made through pumping certain liquids at

Earthworks, an organization dedicated to environmental protection, claims that “Hydraulic fracturing fluids contain toxic chemicals and are being injected into and near drinking water supplies . . . These chemicals have known health effects. . .” However, there are very few documented cases of problems occurring. In addition, pollution of water sources has only occurred when the fracking process was not administered safely (“Should the US Use Fracking?”). In Wyoming, levels of benzene were 50 times higher than the legal limit due to fracking (Milman, “Scientists Find Fracking Contaminated Water”). With correct management, drinking water supplies will not be contaminated. According to Terry Engelder, “. . . there is no compelling environmental reason to ban hydraulic fracturing. There are environmental risks, but these can be managed through existing, and rapidly moving, technologies and regulations.” In agreement with that, the Groundwater Protection Council explains that, “Ground water is protected during the shale gas fracturing process by a combination of the casing and cement that is installed when the well is drilled and the thousands of feet of rock between the fracture zone and any fresh or treatable aquifers. . .” (“Should the US Use Fracking?”). Groundwater is the source of drinking water for 51% of the

Earthquakes occur “when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another” (“The Science of Earthquakes”). “Hydraulic fracturing drives earthquakes in western Canada, according to research [. . .] in science.” However, the article does not clearly state that fracking is the cause of induced earthquakes, as it only presents possibilities (Hugo, “Earthquakes Triggered By Fracking”). In contrast to that, the United States Geological Survey asserts that earthquakes that are occurring in new places are primarily caused by wastewater injection, the process of getting rid of unclean water by injecting it into the ground (Harvey, “Humans Really Are Causing Earthquakes”). The article reports, “Wastewater disposal wells typically operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than hydraulic fracturing, making them more likely to induce earthquakes.” Wastewater injection occurs rapidly with a high pressure, which can induce earthquakes. In addition, wastewater injection also occurs at oil wells (“Induced Earthquakes”). Therefore, hydraulic fracturing is “causing earthquakes” just as much as oil drilling