Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is a method of extracting natural gas from underground by drilling and pumping large amounts of water beneath the Earth to open up natural gas deposits (Banerjee). Countries with large natural gas deposits, such as France and Bulgaria, have already banned the practice of hydraulic fracturing. Though fracking may seem like a new concept, it is not; about one million wells have been fracked since the mid-1900s in America (Brantley). Fracking has only become so controversial recently because the most current proposals have been in more residential areas. The most controversial natural gas deposits in the United States are the Marcellus Shale along Pennsylvania and New York and the Bakken formation in North Dakota. Many environmentalists are strongly against the practice of fracking because of the ecological issues such as potential groundwater contamination. Meanwhile, those in the oil industries are strongly encouraging hydraulic fracturing because of the economic benefits that it will bring for the United States such as more jobs (Tuthill). Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is ethical because it will bring a tremendous economic and energy boost to the United States. Fracking will bring Though those who are against the practice of hydraulic fracturing are concerned mainly about the environmental risks, they will feel a lot more secure if natural gas companies disclose some information. As Larry Kahaner states, “What some shareholders – at least those who put the question before yesterday’s meetings – and others want is for companies to issue full disclosure about individual fracking operations and the chemicals used during the process. Some companies counter that they already abide... ... middle of paper ... ... Web. 03 Nov. 2013. Brantley, Susan L., and Anna Meyendorff. “The Facts on Fracking.” The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. Kahaner, Larry. "The Fractured Ethics of Fracking." Gas Drilling Awareness for Cortland County. GDACC, 26 May 2011. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. Rieke, Richard D. and Malcolm O. Sillars. “American Value Systems.” Perspectives on Argument. Ed. Nancy V. Wood. New York: Pearson Education, 2012. 142-147. Print. “The Facts about Fracking.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 25 June 2011. Web. 02 Nov. 2013. Touryalai, Halah. “Fracking Is Misunderstood, It's The Key To Energy Self-Sufficiency.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 21 May 2012. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. Tuthill, Samantha-Rae. “Understanding Fracking: Arguments For and Against Natural Gas Extractions.” AccuWeather. AccuWeather, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2013.
In today's global economy, energy is one of the most crucial and sought after commodities. Who supplies it and how much they supply determines how much influence they have over other countries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as "fracking" or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boost, creating jobs and providing gas energy for Americans. The efficiently burning shale gas reduces carbon emission from electricity production plants, reducing carbon footprints on the environment. However, the process of hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of pressurized liquid, which contains toxic chemicals, and some of this water is left over undealt with. The air near fracking sites is often also polluted and unsafe for nearby community residents. Injecting millions of gallons of water laced with toxic chemicals into the rock thousands of feet deep can cause earthquakes, causing a safety hazards for all nearby areas. Hydraulic Fracturing makes rare natural gases easily attainable, boosting the economy and reducing carbon emissions. However, the negative side effects such as contaminated water and air, make hydraulic fracturing a process that may not be worth the benefits.
The United States has an immense amount of proven natural gas reserves that could become a major source for the nation's energy future (1). The mining of the natural gas resources have become feasible and cheaper due to the advancement of hydraulic fracturing technologies which have increased the amount the extraction and enabled “greater access to gas in shale formations” (2). Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking of shale formations has positive benefits that includes economic growth and the natural gas extracted is cleaner than coal and oil, however it has caused serious environmental problems and possibly could be the cause of recent seismic activity in areas where fracking operations exist (3).
Current research, in the field of public health, is looking at the adverse health effects of hydraulic fracturing on community members. This research is focused on looking for evidence-based research in processes, procedures, materials and cleanup from drilling and running a well. In recent years, several states such as Maryland and New York, have called for special advisory commissions to examine the potential adverse health implications for the community if the moratoriums are lifted and fracturing is allowed to start. A lot of the previous research conducted focused on the anecdotal perspective of the adverse health effects. This perspective does not offer scientific verification that the fracturing processes are causing them or evidence where the contaminations are coming from.
Cunningham. Lawrence S., and John J. Reich. Culture and Values; a Survey of the Humanities. 7th ed. Boston; Wadsworth, 2010. Print.
Fracking can cause harm to people, animals, and nature. When they drill into the ground they are pumping chemicals to extract the gas and oil, and this contaminates the water sources around it. “An editorial on gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale in the Post-Star, a newspaper in Glens Falls, New York, contends, “New York state simply can’t take the risk. There are plenty of places to find fuel. It’s not so easy to find a new water supply for 17 million people.”” (Hydrofracking
“Hydraulic fracturing involves the use of water pressure to create fractures in rock that allow the oil and natural gas it contains to escape and flow out of a well (Energy From Shale).” Fracking has served to extract natural gas and oil where other methods would not be as successful but many environmentalists argue that fracking is affecting the environment and our drinking supply of water. Although fracking is still a controversial topic, it provides Americans jobs, increases the economy of the region, and the natural gas and oil are cleaner and more affordable source of energy. The EPA recognizes that natural gas and oil are an essential part to help our planet survive but do not want fracking to come at an expense to the public health of the citizens or to the environment.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a widespread practice in the United States. Fracking is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens report detrimental side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has set a two-year moratorium on fracking, so that more research can be done to show the impacts of fracking on the environment.
Before one can see the devastating effects of fracking, one must first understand how fracking works. As previously stated, the main intent of hydro-fracking is to access and harvest natural gas that lies below the surface of the Earth. Having formed over 400 million years ago by the collision of tectonic plates (Marsa 3), the Marcellus Shale plays host to a gold mine of natural gas, which is currently at the center of the fracking debate in the Northeastern region of the United States. Unfortunately, access...
The United States relies on imports for about forty percent of its crude oil, which is the lowest rate of dependency since 1991 according to the U.S Energy Information Administration. Today our country is trying to keep on track in becoming less and less dependent. When it comes to the topic of the future ways the United States will get its fuel, most of us readily agree that the United States should become more independent by using natural gas that is already here on our land. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of the consequences drilling for natural gas brings. Whereas some are convinced drilling is safe, others maintain that it is actually in fact dangerous. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking", the terms for drilling for natural gas, is dangerous to our public health and to the environment because of the water contamination it causes. Therefore, it is not something that should become a project for alternative fuel used by the United States.
Fracking is quickly becoming a debatable topic in our society today. The practice involves injecting fluid into the ground to fracture rock in order to release natural gas. It sounds like it would be a safe way to harness fuels in the earth’s surface, but it actually is a danger to our environment. Because of the dangers of fracking, what little fresh water remains on earth is being contaminated. It is also releasing toxins into the airs creating contaminated air and acid rain. Because of the many health and environmental dangers of fracking, it should be stopped immediately to help prevent more worldwide health issues down the road.
Cunningham, Lawrence S., and John J. . Reich. Culture and Values. 7th ed. Vol. 1. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2006. Print.
Fracking has become a highly controversial and publicized topic due to rising concerns and growing analysis into the mutual benefits of hydraulic fracturing to retrieve natural gas and oil reserves. With concerns of water pollution, mismanagement of toxic waste and irreversible
Lawrence S. Cunningham, John J. Reich. Culture and values: a survey of the humanities. USA:Wadsworth Publishing. 2009. PRINT.
Fracking is a pressurized, chemically treated mixture of water and sand to release and extract natural gas and petroleum from shale rock. There are many articles, studies being done, and organizations fighting for what they think is right. Environmentalist want the technique of fracking banned because it plays a part in global warming, affects our water, and causes human health problems. If fracking cannot be banned because of its necessity then it should be made safe and eco-friendly. The process involves a well being drilled vertically to the desired depth, then turns ninety degrees and continues horizontally for thousands of feet into the shale believed to contain the trapped natural gas. A mix of water, sand, and various chemicals is pumped into the well at high pressure in order to create fissures in the shale through which the gas can escape. Natural gas escapes through the fissures and is drawn back up the well to the surface, where it is processed, refined, and shipped to market. Flowback returns to the surface after the
Without tradition of ethics, people would not be taught what to value. In the U.S., certain aspects of life are seen as more important, thus being passed through the family for all to cherish and learn from; however, some Americans are not happy with where this country stands in terms of what the people choose to render “valuable”. With 7 in 10 people saying that America’s morals have gotten worse over the years, 5 of those people will also bet that values will continue to take a downward spiral (Cohn). The broadness of this poll could very well be portraying any value, big or small. By “America’s values”, it could mean anything from as little as the style changes, to as big as respect for the government. One of the more effective representations of this negative turn is the influence religion has on the average American family. Atheism in this country has increased from 1% to 11% in the last 45 years. In this same amount of time, two-thirds of this country says the economy has gotten to be “uncontrollable, and on the wrong track,” (Cohn). These studies have exposed the values of the average U.S. citizen who is raising the next generation of beliefs. It is only them who c...