Why Is Fracking Be Banned

Claire O’Hearn
Mr. Crowley
8-2 Social Studies
5.18.16
Fracking should be banned in the United States of America. Many people think that they know what fracking is, but in reality, they do not. Many debates are going on around the world about whether or not fracking is actually safe. In addition, there are also many debates on whether or not fracking is helping the United States.
Hydraulic fracking, commonly known as fracking, is a way of extracting oil and natural gas from deep inside the Earth. The process starts with a well that is drilled vertically to a depth of one to two miles underground. Once the drill reaches the point at which natural oil and gas is found, the well curves about 90 degrees and continues to drill for more than one mile.

Why do they frack?
Why might it be a good idea?
How it is hurting people
How it is hurting the environment
Fracking is hurting people one well at a time. “The wastewater mixed with toxic chemicals gets pumped out and often injected into auxiliary holding wells and capped. The oil and gas is released and moves up the well. Many people living near the well sites voice concern and examples of harm to their health, while the general industry stance appears to say that the fracking process is entirely safe and free of harm to people and the environment.” A study performed by Environment America scientists states that fracking generated 280 billion gallons of toxic wastewater in 2012 alone. I further looked into this and learned that this is enough to submerge all of Washington D.C. in a 22-foot-deep toxic lagoon. This is a useful source because when people see how much water is actually being intoxicated in one year alone (Environment America). According to research led by UNT (University of Texas) professor Chetan Tiwari, a medical geographer, areas that are more socially vulnerable tend to have more gas wells near schools than areas that are less

“In the US it has significantly boosted domestic oil production and driven down gas prices. It is estimated to have offered gas security to the US and Canada for about 100 years, and has presented an opportunity to generate electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal” (Shukman).

The large drop in the cost of electricity is because of natural gas prices being at their lowest point since 1999 because of fracking. It has unexpectedly created an incredible amount of new natural gas production, making the resource very cheap. This is making it cheaper than coal in some places (Follett).

The United States is in the midst of a great debate about whether or not fracking should be banned, and the answer is yes. Companies who frack do not care about who or what they are hurting; their only goal is to make money. From earthquakes to water pollution to acid rain, fracking is harming mankind and killing the Earth, whether people realize it or