Fracking

We currently live in a world where one of our most valued concerns is what our future will hold in regards to alternatives for sustainable, energy efficient resources. While there have been numerous proven scientific studies advising against the process of burning fossil fuels due to it’s tremendously negative side effects on society, it still stands as the primary way to produce energy. Ironically, this method propels the human race through creating the energy for machines and cars to run; however, people do not realize that through this, we are harming ourselves. For example, every time that coal is burnt, the tropospheric ozone is polluted with carbon dioxide and global warming is facilitated. Scientists have come to the realization that the human race cannot handle this for any longer, which has prompted the need for new scientific innovation in this field. Unfortunately, such innovation has occurred in the form of Hydraulic Fracturing, most commonly referred to as “fracking.” Fracking is the process whereby natural gas is extracted from underground rock formations, known as shale, with the help of an abundance of hazardous chemicals, large amounts of water, and forceful pressure. Natural gas is composed primarily of methane and produces half as much of carbon dioxide, in comparison to the amount coal produces. The product extracted can be used as a gas or liquefied into oil for the use of powering cars, homes, businesses and industrial expenditures. Innovative extraction technologies have unquestionably opened a new era of natural gas and oil production, especially in the United States. However is fracking truly worth all of the money disbursed and permanent destruction done to the environment? Human health and the livelihood of diverse ecosystems are key factors that the fracking industry and specifically our federal government must put forward into consideration.

For decades geologists have known about the enormous oil and gas deposits that are spread throughout the layers of shale formations. Deep underground locations of shale occur in many regions of the Western United States, as well as in parts of North Dakota, Texas, and Pennsylvania. In the past, the process of extraction was too costly, but recently newer technologies have led to much simpler and cost effective extraction techniques. The first step in this process is horizontal drilling- a method of vertically penetrating to a certain depth within the shale and then drilling horizontally. This technique allows for a more effective way to access the different layers of oil and gas in the shale rock. The second stage occurs in the form hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. This practice uses substances such as water, sand, and chemicals to set free the firmly held natural gas and oil held within the earth through bursting open the cracks.

The process of fracking has a limited amount of positives sprinkled into a multitude of negatives. Outcomes of the process lead to the contamination of both groundwater and breathable air, which are primary standards for both human health and the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “natural gas plays a key role in our nation's clean energy future” (ADD AUTHOR, “ADD SOURCE”). The Environmental Protection Agency’s statement is completely correct for natural gas emissions do not produce nearly the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that coal and oil generate. Natural gas prompts the concern of many opposing viewers as to why fracking is not the sustainable, environmentally friendly answer and it will not provide us a ‘clean energy future’ due to it’s hazardous outcomes within the environment. Pro-viewers believe that fracking is a great alternative to other energy resources since it supplies more vocations for citizens and allows the United States to become less dependent on foreign resources. They believe that these positives would in turn improve our economic stability. While the benefits to the economy are important, the environmental downfalls related to the use of these technologies outweigh the positives.

Environmentalists and lawmakers hold great debate about the potential threats the outcomes of fracking have on freshwater supplies. During fracking operations, the hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals that are used for extracting the natural gas from geologic formations are mixed with freshwater, resulting in contaminated water. Further, when the fracking companies have to report the chemicals in use to the federal government, often they cannot identify them. This is leading to growing concerns surrounding the effectiveness of how the toxic wastewater will get disposed of.

When contaminants return back to the surface after fracking operations and yield in harmful affects on both surface and ground water supplies, a process known as flowback is occurring. Both the groundwater and surface water are from