Fracking Persuasive Speech
Fracking is a process of injecting water, sand, or chemicals at a high pressure into rocks that creates cracks within these rocks which allows oil or gas to flow through. After the oil or gas flows through, it is now able to be extracted. This also releases brine, or waste, which is then pumped into injection wells. Although this process could bring millions of dollars into the oil and gas industry, it is also the number one cause of earthquakes in Texas. It also can release carcinogenic chemicals, or chemicals that aid in causing cancer. It is easy to see why this process is a hazard to societies so why is it illegal to ban fracking within city limits? Not only is Texas number one for energy production, it is also number one for support of
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banning fracking. Denton, a city in north Texas, banned fracking within city limits and the next morning, they had two lawsuits filed against it. These lawsuits were from the Texas General Land Office and Texas Oil and Gas Association. Governor Gregg Abbott also signed a bill restricting cities banning fracking within their limits. Brine flows into the ground which weakens the friction of the faults, which ultimately causes the faults to slip, causing an earthquake. “Of the 162 Texas earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or greater between 1975 and 2015, the study categorized 42, or 26 percent, as “almost certainly” human-caused, and 53, or 33 percent, as “probably” human-caused. Only 13 percent of earthquakes occurred natural. The study was based on a review of journals and the historical catalog of Texas earthquakes from 1847 to 2015.” (Fragoso, Alejandro) Fracking has caused earthquakes but also, withdrawing oil too fast has caused earthquakes as well. Texas is not known for earthquakes but however, recently they are becoming more prevalent. “For Texas, the most noteworthy cases are the series of earthquakes at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and another series of quakes in the cities of Timpson and Azle. All three cases occurred in regions where prior seismic activity was unknown, according to the study, and all three had accurately determined epicenters some 1.2 miles from active injection wells.” (Fragoso) It is obvious that these earthquakes are being caused by fracking. Fracking should be banned in city limits where people reside because this can cause foundation problems, collapse houses, or even kill someone.
In 2008, the Dallas-Fort Worth area experienced their first earthquake ever recorded by the U.S.
Geological Survey. To this day, Texas has experienced about 200 earthquakes. Not only is the number of earthquakes rising, but in 2014, Texas rose above California with their earthquake rates. Irving experienced 11 earthquakes within 24 hours. Dallas has experienced at least 40 earthquakes with some containing a magnitude of 2.7 “The rise in quakes coincides with an increase in drilling activity.” (Kuchment, Anna) It is a big possibility that fracking is causing this earthquakes. These faults that are being drilled into can only handle so much pressure before they slip, causing an earthquake. Fracking is applying even more pressures onto these faults which can easily cause earthquakes. “Researchers at the USGS and other institutions have tied earthquake surges in eight states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kansas, and Arkansas, to oil and gas operations. ...As scientists continue to study the phenomenon, they have found more reason for concern. Evidence suggests that earthquake risks can spread for miles beyond the original disposal sites, and can persist for a decade or more after drilling stops.” Fracking cause problems while it’s happening, and it causes problems and risks of earthquakes after it is
over. Not only are earthquakes dangerous, but the process of fracking also has the potential to release chemicals that cause cancer. “The study suggests that the presence of carcinogens involved in or released by hydraulic fracturing operations has the potential to increase the risk of childhood leukemia. The presence of chemicals alone does not confirm exposure or risk of exposure to carcinogens and future studies are needed to evaluate cancer risk.” (Meyer, Denise) This increases the hazard of fracking but yet, oil companies are still allowed to frack within city limits. This puts so many lives into danger. “Of the 119 compounds with sufficient data, 44 percent of the water pollutants and 60 percent of air pollutants were either confirmed or possible carcinogens. Because some chemicals could be released to both air and water, the study revealed a total of 55 unique compounds with carcinogenic potential. Furthermore, 20 chemicals had evidence of increased risk for leukemia or lymphoma specifically. This analysis creates a priority list of carcinogens to target for future exposure and health studies.” (Meyer) There is positive things about fracking. One of those things is natural gas is obtained. With natural gas burning instead of coal, it creates benefits for public health. Also, with fracking natural gas, it emits less gas emissions compared to burning coal. Another benefit is that fracking takes less water than oil, coal, and other nuclear extractions.
banning fracking. Denton, a city in north Texas, banned fracking within city limits and the next morning, they had two lawsuits filed against it. These lawsuits were from the Texas General Land Office and Texas Oil and Gas Association. Governor Gregg Abbott also signed a bill restricting cities banning fracking within their limits. Brine flows into the ground which weakens the friction of the faults, which ultimately causes the faults to slip, causing an earthquake. “Of the 162 Texas earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or greater between 1975 and 2015, the study categorized 42, or 26 percent, as “almost certainly” human-caused, and 53, or 33 percent, as “probably” human-caused. Only 13 percent of earthquakes occurred natural. The study was based on a review of journals and the historical catalog of Texas earthquakes from 1847 to 2015.” (Fragoso, Alejandro) Fracking has caused earthquakes but also, withdrawing oil too fast has caused earthquakes as well. Texas is not known for earthquakes but however, recently they are becoming more prevalent. “For Texas, the most noteworthy cases are the series of earthquakes at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and another series of quakes in the cities of Timpson and Azle. All three cases occurred in regions where prior seismic activity was unknown, according to the study, and all three had accurately determined epicenters some 1.2 miles from active injection wells.” (Fragoso) It is obvious that these earthquakes are being caused by fracking. Fracking should be banned in city limits where people reside because this can cause foundation problems, collapse houses, or even kill someone.
In 2008, the Dallas-Fort Worth area experienced their first earthquake ever recorded by the U.S.
Geological Survey. To this day, Texas has experienced about 200 earthquakes. Not only is the number of earthquakes rising, but in 2014, Texas rose above California with their earthquake rates. Irving experienced 11 earthquakes within 24 hours. Dallas has experienced at least 40 earthquakes with some containing a magnitude of 2.7 “The rise in quakes coincides with an increase in drilling activity.” (Kuchment, Anna) It is a big possibility that fracking is causing this earthquakes. These faults that are being drilled into can only handle so much pressure before they slip, causing an earthquake. Fracking is applying even more pressures onto these faults which can easily cause earthquakes. “Researchers at the USGS and other institutions have tied earthquake surges in eight states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kansas, and Arkansas, to oil and gas operations. ...As scientists continue to study the phenomenon, they have found more reason for concern. Evidence suggests that earthquake risks can spread for miles beyond the original disposal sites, and can persist for a decade or more after drilling stops.” Fracking cause problems while it’s happening, and it causes problems and risks of earthquakes after it is
over. Not only are earthquakes dangerous, but the process of fracking also has the potential to release chemicals that cause cancer. “The study suggests that the presence of carcinogens involved in or released by hydraulic fracturing operations has the potential to increase the risk of childhood leukemia. The presence of chemicals alone does not confirm exposure or risk of exposure to carcinogens and future studies are needed to evaluate cancer risk.” (Meyer, Denise) This increases the hazard of fracking but yet, oil companies are still allowed to frack within city limits. This puts so many lives into danger. “Of the 119 compounds with sufficient data, 44 percent of the water pollutants and 60 percent of air pollutants were either confirmed or possible carcinogens. Because some chemicals could be released to both air and water, the study revealed a total of 55 unique compounds with carcinogenic potential. Furthermore, 20 chemicals had evidence of increased risk for leukemia or lymphoma specifically. This analysis creates a priority list of carcinogens to target for future exposure and health studies.” (Meyer) There is positive things about fracking. One of those things is natural gas is obtained. With natural gas burning instead of coal, it creates benefits for public health. Also, with fracking natural gas, it emits less gas emissions compared to burning coal. Another benefit is that fracking takes less water than oil, coal, and other nuclear extractions.