INFORMEDdebate
YES
Do the benefits
of ‘fracking’
from members:
Trevor Fulton
Anchorage, AK
As long as it is
done responsibly,
fracking can be
a safe, affordable
and reliable
source of domestic energy.
outweigh
the risks?
NATURAL GAS extracted through a process
called hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has
been the subject of heated controversy. High-volume fracking, combined with horizontal
drilling, recovers natural gas that is trapped in
deep shale rock and other formations below
the ground, essentially by injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals that opens up the shale deposits and
releases the gas.
Proponents say the process is safe
and well regulated, and allows us to
access reserves of clean-burning, cost-efficient energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs.
Critics are concerned that the process
of fracking may be creating serious
environmental impacts, such as
methane leaks, water shortages,
water pollution, earthquakes and
adverse effects on health.
What do you think?
Kathleen Dennis
Franktown, CO
Chemicals used
are common in
other subsurface
industries and
cause no more
pollution or health risk than
any other use.
Davon Ransom
Columbus, OH
Natural gas
would cut depen-
dency on foreign
oil and reduce
long-term effects
on the environment.
NO
MEDIA BAKERY
from members:
Carmen Ward-Sullivan
San Leandro, CA
Anytime one
injects chemicals
into anything nat-
ural, it destroys
our environment
for future generations.
Nat Fazio
Manalapan, NJ
[It’s] extremely
dangerous to our
environment and
potable drinking
water.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• http://web.mit.edu/mitei/research/studies (search or click on “The Future of Natural Gas 2011”)
• www.slate.com/articles (search or click on “What the Frack?”)
• www.eia.gov (search or click on “hydraulic fracturing, natural gas”)
• www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17073435
• www.nytimes.com (search “baffled about fracking”)
Jackie Beaudoin
Plano, TX
[It’s] not well
regulated. The discharges are not
known. [I] do not
believe all is safe.
