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The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

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It is unique how our environment works. For starters, the human species have lived on earth for over 200,000 years and have accomplished many obstacles throughout its course. Recently, what seems to be interesting is how we use the environment to create the lifestyle we live today. Environmental Science has come a long way in research and has resulted in many projects that have addressed to improve our water system. There is a particular project which has recently been brought to our attention and is being questioned by researchers. This 'questionable' project is called Hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as "fracking". This method has been around since the late 1940s and in the past ten years, it has increased tremendously in the United …show more content…

For instance, according to Jacob Wheeler, “[t]here are enough fossil fuels “locked” in bedrock shale formations under North American soil to make the United States energy independent, and a net exporter of oil and gas, in the near future”(Wheeler, page 1). In Wheelers’ defense, he does not believe that fracking will affect our water system and only benefit the United States of becoming an independent source and not depend on Middle Eastern supplies. Another outcome that could be beneficial is the use of natural gas to heat our homes and power our cars, which releases fewer carbon emissions than coal (Fracking Explained, 2013). In addition, the environmentally pragmatic “bridge fuel” could buy us time until the United States can harness the power of wind, solar, and hydro on a mass scale (Wheeler, page 1). Fracking has caused a great change in the United States industries and supporters believe there can be other ways to improve the environment supplies in the near future. As this issue continues to create more attention, many may differ in opinions on how dangerous this concept could be in our environment in the coming …show more content…

Groundwater 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... While the challenges continue to exist with water availability and water management, innovative regional solutions are emerging that allow shale gas development to continue while ensuring that the water needs of other users can be met and that surface and groundwater quality is protected” (GWPC,

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This gel is already found underground, and when it is mixed with less harmful chemicals, such as ferric sulfate, it can cause the fracking of rock. Some oil and gas companies, such as Apache, are starting to eliminate the use of diesel engines and make the move over to engines that run on natural gas, cutting fuel costs by 40%. Due to the various problems that fracking poses to the environment and human health, people are looking into different ways of producing energy. A more traditional way of getting energy is through solar power. Solar power is predicted to produce 27% of the worlds energy needs by 2050.

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While delving into the advantages and disadvantages of domestic natural oil and gas production I realized that hydraulic fracturing has proven itself to be a valuable asset to the United States economy. In “Fracking: Fix It or Forget It?” by Daniel E. Klein, Daniel shares with his readers that “in the last decade, shale development technologies have become technically and commercially feasible. Pairing horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing, “fracking” has revolutionized the oil and gas outlook as few other industries’ ever have done before. Increased domestic production of both oil and gas has led to enhanced energy security, reduced fuel imports, and improved balanced of payments for the United States.

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Fracking is a process by which gas and oil are extracted from shale rocks using high temperatures to break rocks apart down a borehole (Fracking and Climate Change, n.d.). It involves drilling down into the earth before a high- pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside (Risky gas drilling threatens health, water supplies, n.d.).The water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock which enables the gas to flow out into the well (Risky gas drilling threatens health, water supplies, n.d.).This can be carried out vertically or by drilling horizontally to the rock layer (News page: what is fracking and why is it controversial?, n.d.). There are many implications of fracking as it creates huge amount of environmental

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The U.S. government has produced legislation to ensure the safety of fracking; however, most of it has to do with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act to ensure that the chemicals used in fracking doesn’t get into the

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N.p., 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016. "Fracking Linked to Groundwater Contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming. " High Country News.

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General Concerns Finally, as with any mining or intensive industry, hydraulic fracturing has the potential for noise and light pollution, and environmental degradation from the construction of the site itself and access roads into increasingly remote areas, amplified erosion from land clearing, and habitat disturbance through the means above or the accidental introduction of invasive species though equipment or soil movement (Rahm and Riha, 2012). Political, Economic, and Social Dimensions Political Dimensions Fracking in Colorado has been the source of much legislation and litigation in recent years. Although, “Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper describes the state’s [fracking] regulation as ‘the most comprehensive and stringent’ in

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The businesses running today produce over 300,000 barrels of natural gases each day. Michigan alone produces 23% of the natural gases fracked in the U.S. This provides the heat to warm houses, the gases to heat the pan on top of the stove, and so much more. Fracking helps many people with their everyday needs, but how much is society going to risk for the gases they need? The water needed to extract the gases out of the ground are coming out of one of Michigan’s greatest resources: the Great Lakes.

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With a boom out of the darkness for oil and gas production with the 1940s technology known as “hydraulic fracturing” or also known as “fracking’ but all this come to “what is fracking?” To answer that basic question: Fracking is the process that involves millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals are being injected into the ground by high amounts of pressure. Fracking is used to dig into deposits and tap into previously unreachable oil and gas reserves. Fracking is widely used in vertical and horizontal drilling in oil reserves. With that question answered let's talk about fracking's impact on everyday lives.

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It’s a known fact that the earth is known as a water planet or “blue planet” showing the crucial nature of water to the survival of the earth. Until recent year, waste was injected into underground or through deep injection wells to salt Caverns and other similar geologic formations. But such techniques is been questioned and becoming less viable due to limited access to disposal well. The public is clamoring for more sustainable solutions increasing pressure on regulatory authority. It’s a known fact that water plays a major role in the life of an oilfield from inception to abandonment.

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Emissions from natural gas have the ability to continue to decline with existing technology and at a minimal cost to fracking corporations. If people only knew that the capability to limit emissions from burning natural gas was readily available and within the budget of most corporations, it would change their perspective. In hindsight, “ A 50% reduction in methane emissions is equivalent to a 90% fall in coal-fired power plants, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.” (“Moment of Truth on Emissions.”). This proves that methane emissions are much easier to control as compared to coal or other fossil fuels.

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Nicolas D. Loris, who is an economist at the Heritage Foundation, claims fracking helps create new jobs “for geologists, engineers, rig workers, truck drivers, and pipe welders”—such as a plant located in Pennsylvania that will generate about 10,000 new jobs—and also helps create more business for hotels and restaurants (“Fracking is not a Public Health Risk,” Chemicals). Using this method of wastewater injections, says Loris, also generates over “600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas… [which] is enough heat to 15 million homes for one year” (“Fracking is not a Public Health Risk, Chemicals). He continues his argument by saying that, with the creation of new jobs, hydraulic fracking increases the U.S. economy and makes natural gas available for vital things such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers (“Fracking is not a Public Health Risk,”

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The amount of fracking has increased by access to the oil reserves and natural gas in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois and many other states. During the late 1900's there have been many arguments on whether fracking does contaminate water or not. The EPA (environmental protection agency) have studied this problem at a site in Alabama. Over the time there weren't any evidence on contamination or any problem in the aquifers. Also another research conducted by the U.S department of energy, found that the fracking is a "safe and effective" technology from deep geological formations.

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By fracking for natural gas and shifting from coal to natural gas power generation plants, we could benefit economically, save our environment, and save millions of gallons of

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Despite, the human’s constant concerns about the impact of fracking on the environment, human health and other issues, it has been one of the most important innovations for the economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania over the last century. “It’s almost impossible to overestimate the importance of fracking to the natural gas industry and the nation”. The importance of fracking on the economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania is similar to everywhere else in the United States. However, ever since the discovery of this technology, Northeastern Pennsylvania in particular has transformed completely.

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For the citizens, “fracking will give them jobs so they can make money and support their families” (Rogowsky). Furthermore, with the addition of fracking “the United States can get about 1.8 trillion barrels of shale (“sedimentary rocks that have rich sources of petroleum and natural gas” (Rogowsky)) a year compared to Saudi

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