For years the world had wanted to be able to harness the natural gases found in shale. Often small amounts were able to be released but, not very efficiently. In July of 1947 in Hugoton, Kansas the first hydraulic fracturing experiment was performed by Stanolind Oil & Gas Company. “Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside.” Natural gas is harnessed for many kinds of energy such as heat, electricity, and fuel. Fracking allows the United States to be less dependent on foreign oils and finding other local sources of energy. Now there are roughly 35,000 natural gas wells in the United States. A local community …show more content…
When considering whether or not a local board of supervisors should grant a warrant of land to a fracking company they must consider whether the number of jobs it will provide and the profits that they will receive are worth the environmental destruction and danger to the welfare of the people. The fracking industry could bring economic prosperity to the county. Fracking provides a cheaper energy source and would cause gasoline prices to lower. “In the United States gas bills have dropped $13 billion per year from 2007 to 2013 as a result of increased fracking, which adds up to $200 per year for gas-consuming households. Moreover, all types of energy consumers, including commercial, industrial, and electric power consumers, saw economic gains totaling $74 billion per year from increased fracking.” As well as the gas prices dropping revenue would increase from the fracking plant and would provide an increase in budget for other county functions …show more content…
While the spill of chemicals and large gas emissions poses a greater threat to the public due to higher concentrations of toxins, chemicals such as hydrochloric acid; muriatic acid; hydroxyethyl cellulose; glutaraldehyde; petroleum distillate; ammonium bisulfate; 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid; N Dimethylformamide; ethylene glycol; 2-butoxyethanol; fluorocarbons; naphthalene; butanol; or formaldehyde are often released to the surface. (law) The chemical 2-butoxyethanol ("EGBE") is a major of concern to human health. Millions of gallons of EGBE are released in waste products over the years and are absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure. “Numerous toxicity concerns are associated with EGBE, including nose and eye irritations, headaches, vomiting, breathing problems, low blood pressure, lowered levels of hemoglobin, blood in urine, and metabolic acidosis.” (law) “The few existing studies available show that exposure to air pollutants, toxic chemicals, metals, radiation, noise and light pollution cause a range of diseases, illnesses, and health problems.” (law) These negative effects will directly impact those living closely to drilling and increase the risk of problems affecting the skin, eyes, and other sensory organs; brain and nervous system; gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys; and the immune system. Decreases in health such as cancer,