The Environmental Benefits Of Fracking

Citizens of the United States should not need to pick between clean energy and clean drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is “the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas”(Oxford Dictionary). The fracking process is not a safer alternative to clean energy because it causes health risks and harm to the environment (Jackson et al. 2014).

The academic journal titled, “The Environmental Costs and benefits of Fracking” claims the growth of the fracking industry is causing “high-density drilling to occur in areas with little or no previous oil and gas production, often literally in people 's backyards” (Jackson et al. 2014). Increased

“Air pollution from gas drilling in Arkansas’ Fayetteville Shale region imposed estimated public health costs of more than $10 million in 2008” (Jackson et al. 2014). Pollution caused by fracking can even impact people far away by contributing to the smog and soot emissions. Fracking is a greater contributor to ozone smog than automobiles in fracking popular areas (Allen).

The act of injecting fracking fluid deep into the earth is a risky process. If the fracking fluid is injected into a fault, it can cause the plates to slip creating an earthquake. The state of Oklahoma recently admitted the increase in earthquakes is directly related to injections, underground wells and drilling operations located beneath the state. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission stated, “Oklahoma experienced 585 magnitude 3-plus earthquakes in 2014 compared to 109 in 2013”(Ellsworth).

According to U.S. Geological Survey, the number of earthquakes in Oklahoma over the past four years has increased more than 300 percent. In 2015, Oklahoma has already recorded nearly 700 earthquakes of 3.0 magnitude or greater (Ellsworth). The long-term repercussions caused by fracking are becoming more visible in fracking dominant states (Allen). Though there is a significant increase in earthquakes the majority cannot be felt nor cause

It is impossible for large fracking corporations to guarantee environmental and human safety; the Energy Policy Act of 2005 removes fracking from the federal Safe Dinking Water Act of 1974. This loophole allows for corporations to keep toxic fracking ingredients secret to avoid contamination lawsuits (Lallanilla).

Senator Bob introduced the FRAC Act, which helps eliminates the gas and oil drilling loopholes from the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Air act. If the FRAC Act passes fracking becomes a “federal regulated activity”. Many acts similar to the FRAC have been introduced but congress has not taken any action. The state government currently controls fracking but giving the federal government control over the matter would give the E.P.A or Environmental Protection Agency more authority. Giving the EPA control over fracking regulations would be the best way to ensure environmental safety (Jackson et al.