What 's The Big `` Fracking `` Deal? Essay

For the past twenty to thirty years, hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, has been the number one source of natural gas, oil, and energy in the United States. The process of fracking is that a well is built above the ground and then a drill digs several thousand feet deep into the ground to extract the oil and natural gas that is trapped inside of rock formations. Fracking is very controversial because of the cost of the process and the environmental “threats” that it poses. From methane emissions to earthquakes, fracking has been accused to be linked with several environmental issues. To prevent any environmental dangers, states place regulations and boundaries that energy companies have to follow in order to build a well and keep it up and running. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) also works with states to help regulate these wells. More importantly, fracking in the United States is very important and acts as a bridge to the future. While it may be argued that hydraulic fracturing is not beneficial to the economy and harmful to the environment, fracking in the United States should not be banned because fracking is not only imperative to the growth of jobs and the economy, but it also does not put the surrounding environment in danger.

Earlier this year the Havasupai Tribe and a coalition of conservation groups sued the United States Forest Service for allowing Energy Fuel Resources Inc. to operate a mine under a 1986 federal environmental review without tribal consultation. The Canyon mine was previously in non-operational status due to low uranium stock prices in 1992. Opponents of the uranium mining operation want the federal environmental review updated and

Oil and natural gas companies have developed a way to drill for natural gas, a process called hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Natural gas is a flammable gas mixture consisting of methane and several other hydrocarbons that occur naturally underground. Natural gas is used as fuel for heating, cooking, and even in some automobiles like the “RideOn” buses. This technique has only recently become economically feasible with the rising prices of fossil fuels, and there is much potential for recovering natural gas through fracking. However, fracking has many waste products and unusual side effects caused by the unnatural forces and materials used. Fracking has a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment through

The people of Wyoming all have different opinions about whether “open land” means federal, state and private or just private and state. Passing this law will not end the collection of data, but, it will limit it because people feel the consequences if they are caught. This law limits the Western Watershed employee’s and all others from showing that cattle farms are polluting the waterways. Of course everyone has their own opinion on this law, some think it is harsh and some believe it is necessary.

The multi-billion dollar Dakota Access oil pipeline stretched across four states is standing in the way of one big thing- a clean and healthy environment for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. This is a fight that they have been battling since April, and tensions are on the rise. The pushes and violations that the government has had against Indian tribes since the dawn of this country is one of the main reasons for the violent protests against the pipeline. The U.S. government has consistently pursued and exploited indigenous peoples and their land and forced them to hand it over. The Standing Rock tribe has not given up yet, though, as they continue to protest and stand in solidarity at the site of the pipeline construction. (Martin)

In December 2011, the federal Environmental Protection Agency concluded that fracking operations could be responsible for groundwater pollution.“Today’s methods make gas drilling a filthy business. You know it’s bad when nearby residents can light the water coming out of their tap on fire,” says Larry Schweiger, president of the National Wildlife Federation. What’s causing the fire is the methane from the drilling operations. A ProPublica investigation in 2009 revealed methane contamination was widespread in drinking water in areas around fracking operations in Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. The presence of methane in drinking water in Dimock, Pa., had become the focal point for Josh Fox’s investigative documentary, Gasland, which received an Academy Award nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Documentary; Fox also received an Emmy for non-fiction directing. Fox’s interest in fracking intensified when a natural gas company offered $100,000 for mineral rights on property his family owned in Milanville, in the extreme northeast part of Pennsylvania, about 60 miles east of Dimock.

Fracking is the nickname for Hydraulic fracturing and a type of drilling that has been used since 1950. Today, fracking is the United States most reliable source of natural gas and oils. Fracking consists of safely tapping shale rock and other tight-rock formations by drilling 1-2 kilometres or more below the surface before slowly turning horizontal and then continuing several thousand feet more. One fracking site can have a number of wells. Once the well is drilled, the drill is removed and the well hole is made solid.

In recent years there has been great concern over the growing demand for energy, and the lack of non-renewable energy resources to meet the demand in the future. In addition, the question of “sustainability”—the ability to balance social, economic, and environmental needs in energy production to meet both current and long-term requirements—has come to the fore. It is clear that America must expand energy production quickly, and that we must develop renewable, sustainable energy sources to meet long-term demand and protect our future. There are many proposed solutions, such as wind and solar power. But the technology for these resources is not yet fully developed, making them, at best, low-output alternatives. Because renewable sources are

Until now, by the looks of it, there is a demonstrable lack of capability to develop and implement solutions to fracking problem. Despite, the remaining legal questions about the exact scope of Colorado state government authority to regulate oil and gas drilling in the Front Range, many local authorities have enacted ordinances but then hardly any of them could come to fruition. Ironically, there is so much resentment in the market today, that a whole new bunch of activists naming themselves as ‘Fractivists’ have emerged whose full-time job is to mobilize people against fracking, its health, environmental and property rights concerns. As public, media and the law-making bodies are getting increasingly conscious of a resource-constrained future

With the age of constant industrial and technological growth has come the necessity for not only cost effective and efficient methods for industry, but also the need for obtaining fuel for the machines that make the modern world possible. Oil has become as precious a commodity as gold, if not more so; its attainments constantly driving the world's largest businesses and governments across the world into action. Naturally, a "quick-fix" solution to this problem is constantly sought after by oil companies wishing to provide oil on a massive scale. One of these drilling methods is known as induced hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking).

The quality of life for these divided humans is hazardous. They can’t drink their own tap water because of harmful chemicals that are wondering around inside of it. Nor do they have a say as to petitioning these fracking companies from leaving their property. Even if these poverty-struck, colored people took this to the government. The government doesn’t and won’t get involved for certain unknown reasons so we rely on people like Jill Johnston and her crew to paint the picture for us who reveal the unimaginable information that they have collected in their

Imagine a world where fresh and clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. As the trees begin to die, oxygen levels drop. As the vegetation dies, wildlife begins to die out. The polluted water which flows through the ground into wells causes instant contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, one can strike a match and light the liquid on fire. Showering in these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, were deemed legal, this question may be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which

Fracking has actually changed out future as we know it, and has made it possible for many things. Fracking will make the world run on natural fossil fuels for much longer, which is also better for the environment and us. In 2015, the U.S. reached its all time high in oil production in 14 years and is only expected to continually rise. Oil production in the U.S. is one of the main sources of jobs for people living in the U.S. (Nunez, 2013). Fracking is a good way to employ U.S. citizens and is also a good way to get natural ways of oil production. As we all

Snap! The sound rung out in the clearing. At first, I had mistaken the cracking sound for a stick that I assumed I had fallen on. Then, the crippling pain that was radiating from my arm clued me in otherwise. Breaking a bone is like a roller coaster of sensations and emotions. First, your disorientated mind races to figure out what just happened, then the throbbing pain sets in and you realize you are injured.

One of the many controversial topics in American dialogue today is climate change. A considerable number of people argue that it does not exist or that global warming will not do much harm. However, the scientific evidence for climate change and the proof of its damage is indisputable. Much distress is arising as to what this undergoing change means for the future of the planet and mankind. There is an incredible lack of willingness to be educated on the largest causes and just how disastrous an effect they have. It is utter ignorance to believe climate change is not a serious issue or that it will not cause a dramatic transformation of planet Earth. Global warming is a global issue; therefore, international cooperation is essential to curb and control the climate crisis. One of the largest environmental problems is hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” This process is expanding and especially ubiquitous in the area of my hometown in