Environmental Studies: The Politics of Fracking

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Table of Contents

Benefits
Hazards to humans and environment air, water, and our communities
Possible solutions
Recommendations
Works Cited

Mooney presents several arguments in support of fracking as a new technique to extract oil and gas, which underpins the position taken in this paper. According to Mooney, fracking, also referred to as hydraulic fracking, has widely been adopted in many countries of the world today. Using fracking to extract oil and gas attracts several benefits to the economy, the people, and the environment.

However, some problems associated with the use of fracking as an oil and gas extracting method are evident. However, there is evidence to show that solutions to the problems encountered when fracking exist.

Fracking consumes large amounts of water, which, when combined with sand and trace amounts of chemicals form a fluid, which is pumped into the rocks containing oil and gas at extremely high pressure to extract the hydrocarbons. It is a complex process which leaves the sand intact in the rock crevices.

Benefits

Opponents of the use of fracking limit their arguments to the problems associated with the use of the technology. Those opponents agree that fracking, like any other technology, has challenges which can be resolved.

Carson extensively researched on fracking by showing that it is the technology of choice because it provides cheaper oil and gas, releases less carbon into the environment, has a net positive impact on the economy, and reduces reliance on unpredictable sources of imported natural gas and oil. Fracking is a process, which is the best alternative source of energy because it is cheap for industrial and domestic purposes.

Estimates show the existence of 750 trillion and 24 billion barrels of technically recoverable shale gas and oil in the USA alone. According to Carson, fracking has created a market for properties, rental houses, and better-paying oil industry jobs, as some of the economic benefits.

Jobs in the oil and gas industry have a ripple effect on local supportive industries. Evidence shows that despite the challenges associated with the use of the technology, fracking does not introduce new and unique challenges, but brings already known challenges which been experienced with other technologies.

Hazards to humans and environment air, water, and our communities

Like any other technology, fracking has caused the displacement of people in many areas where the extraction of oil and gas occurs.

Solid arguments in support of fracking are based on its benefits, but opponents support their argument by referring to the adverse effects, which include the high turnover of rental properties, the constant fear of eviction by locals, the presence of clouds over residential areas, water pollution, sewerage infrastructure problems, adverse road and traffic activities.

Recent estimates show evidence of a stagnating population because young people have migrated from their rural homes to urban areas. Carson points out that fracking pollutes water resources, air, and causes constant noise and light pollution.

The massive amount of toxic wastes, which were dumped in 2008 in North Dakota, ending up releasing1.1 billion gallons of coal ash waste, serves as an example of the worst environmental disasters ever seen. Opponents suggest the evidence of the 2011 coal ash spill into Lake Michigan by emphasizing on the destructive effects on the environment. Research shows that several solutions to the problems exist.

Possible solutions

According to Springer, giving notification and reporting to relevant authorities on fracking activities should form part of the fracking process. Springer argues that companies should implement a program to restore urban and non-urban sites after oil and gas extraction activities. The supporters argue that water usage should be in compliance with the amount allowed for use by the local authorities.

Companies should comply with regulatory controls for solid waste disposal and should install air cleaning machines on fracking units as a mandatory requirement and any company found violating the requirement should be penalized heavily.

Some of the methods, which could be used to increase the benefit associated with the use of fracking to extract oil and gas include making an investment in environmental amenities, human capital, public infrastructure and services, and tax adjustments to cover the costs.

Fracking companies can reduce the adverse cumulative effects on water resources by working closely with local water management boards on when and where to withdraw water.

Recommendations

There is a need to conduct further analysis of the accurate impact of results of fracking on the environment, people, and the economy to develop an accurate view of the used fracking. The number of jobs created and the economic impact should be evaluated to determine the true value of using technology.

In addition to that, there is a need to disseminate factual information about the social, environment, fiscal, and economic impacts of fracking hydrocarbons. It is critical for policymakers to review the economic impact of the use of fracking and to develop a policy for ensuring that the income from oil and gas benefit the local communities.

Works Cited

Carson, Erin. “Public Response to Fracking Rule Demonstrates Increased Significance of Environmental Regulatory Policy.” ESF Research | Oil and Gas 1.1 (2013): 1-43. Print.

Davis, Charles. “The politics of fracking. Regulating natural gas drilling practices in Colorado and Texas.” Review of Policy Research 29.2 (2012): 177-191.Print

Mooney, Chris. “The truth about fracking.” Scientific American 305.5 (2011): 80- 85. Print.

Nagelhout, Ryan. Fracking. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2013.Print.

Springer, Laura, E. “Waterproofing the New Fracking Regulation: The Necessity of Defining Riparian Rights in Louisiana’s Water Law.” La. L. Rev. 72 (2011): 225.Print.

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