The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

Fracking is the highly controversial battle between the success of the economy and the protection of the environment. Environmental activist claim that fracking will ruin our ecosystems and put people 's lives in danger; while fracking companies only care about benefits of greenbacks rather than environmental costs. With the government already investing a myriad of time and money on fracking, the government can help settle this battle. The government needs to regulate fracking to the extent of it becoming a safer process so the environment and its people are no longer in harm.

The first regulation the government should implement is for government workers to inspect cement pipes prior to beginning the fracking process. Cracked Pipes

There are chemicals that are known as carcinogens and toxins which is the main reason why not just environmentalist, but people are against fracking. Harmful chemicals are off putting to the public, and fracking uses many of them, "... carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, boric acids..." (Joe Hoffman). If fracking companies are ordered to find safer, and environmentally friendly alternatives, the public would be much more willing to support the continuation of fracking. With safer chemicals used in fracking, companies will receive more support from landowners, businesses, and citizens in general. Our environment is greatly affected by the fracking fluid used the penetrate the shale rock formations, " ... recently reported that the amount of chemically tainted soil from drilling waste increased nearly 5,100 percent over the past decade" (Steve Tilton). In order to continue fracking in the future years, we need to have land to frack on. If the land is tainted with chemicals, you will be unable to frack due to health hazards, and then a large energy source that natural gas is will be lost. To keep this energy source- which is fairly cheap and has high demand- companies will need to find safer alternatives to use. On the other hand, companies argue that the cost benefit analysis of spending the time and money to find safer chemicals is not worth it. However, that point is not

Fracking and the supply chain for a fracking site to be built releases pollutants into the air. One fracking site in Wyoming recorded outrageous pollution levels, "... with Wyoming 's ozone levels recorded at 124 parts per billion... The Environmental Protection Agency 's Maximum healthy limit is 75 parts per billion" (Joe Hoffman). The supply chain for fracking contributes to air pollution. "There are an estimated 400 tanker trucks used to carry water and supplies to and from the sites" (Linda Dong). Fracking companies should not be allowed to slip by National Environmental Laws because they are set for our safety. The Government needs to enforce the regulations set by the EPA for the health of US citizens, and for the preservation of our ozone layer. With an extra 1.65% of fracking pollution, people are being put at a higher risk of cancer, organ damage, nervous system disorders and even death. Our ozone layer- which is not only being tarnished by fracking, but also the process of building a fracking site- needs to be cared for. With the government 's watch to make sure the fracking companies are abiding by the National Environmental Laws for pollution levels, there will be a decrease in negative externalities, and help prevent a tragedy of the commons. Fracking has also been reported to affect