I’ve wanted to write about Fracking for some time but I
wanted to make sure I had my facts straight and quote the appropriate sources. However,
with such a controversial topic I decided to post this as an “opinion piece”
and I provided you with an overview of Fracking and as well as a few resources
to form your own opinion.
Fracking or Hydraulic Fracturing is a procedure in which
water, chemicals and sand are shot underground into rock formations to
“fracture it” and release gas or oil trapped in rock.
But why?
For years, gas
and oil drilling was conducted by drilling straight down into the earth to
pockets (my words) of gas and oil. Recently these site are becoming fewer;
forcing drillers to drill down and break up the layers of rock, force water and
chemicals in, and then push the gas and oil out.
So what’s the problem?
The sides are divided between those
who feel that we need to find more ways to access oil and gas domestically vs.
those that see the potential environmental and human risks that result from the
process. Others feel the need for implementation of stronger regulations and
guidelines until more is known about the process of Fracking and it's long term
effects.
So what do I think?
I obviously want to see the U.S. less
dependent on foreign oil however, the environmentalist in me can’t help but see
the potential hazards associated with this process. I just don’t believe we can
alter the earth in this way without consequences. Also, in addition to the
physical changes made under the earth's surface, the concern of the chemicals
used and the waste waters that result after the process are concerns for the ground
water supply.
Just a week or so ago, (which prompted me to finally post about
Fracking), was a story on the Today Show
about the connection between Fracking and earthquakes in Oklahoma. From 1975 to
2009, Oklahoma had one recorded Earthquake. From 2010 to 20013, 40 earthquakes
were recorded. In just the first 4.5 months of 2014, 164 earthquakes were
reordered. Fingers are pointing to Fracking as the cause in such an increase in
Earthquakes in the state. http://www.today.com/news/whats-causing-hundreds-oklahoma-earthquakes-al-investigates-1D79815044
In 2012, a film called Promised
Land written by and starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski featured a rural
community divided as a gas company salesperson tries to persuade the land
owners to rent their land for the purpose of Fracking. While the film portrays
a negative bias towards Fracking, it does show the choice that struggling
farmers must face when given the opportunity to bring in a lucrative income
from their failing farmland. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2091473/
Lastly I wanted to share a video from one of my heroes,
Linda Ellerbee, on Nick News called “What’s the Deal with Fracking”. This video
is geared toward young adults but gives a great glimpse into the many opinions on the process of fracking from the gas companies, farmers, community members
as well as environmentalists.
Although not extensive, I hope this gives you a little more
information about Hydraulic Fracturing than when you started. Please take a
moment to view the videos I provided as they really do give you a view from all
sides.
Buzz!
