Fracking Pros And Cons
The Pros and Cons of Fracking and Why it Should be Allowed in North Carolina
Hydraulic fracking for some is a dream come true. For others, it is a nightmare. The act of extracting oil and natural gas from shale rock layers from within the earth has environmentalists pulling out their hair and politicians jumping for joy. The contamination of groundwater, air and land is constantly being brought up in debates. The government on the other hand argues that it only causes minimal harm and the benefits, like job creation and individual wealth, far out way the cost.
One very important benefit that comes from fracking is the amount of jobs it is creating. According to a study done by the U.S Chamber of Commerce’s 21st Century Energy Institute, …show more content…
1.7 million jobs have been created and by 2035 there will an estimate of 3.5 million. Since more money is in the hands of the citizens there has been a substantial growth in communities. North Dakota, for example, has had a huge economic boom because of fracking; it’s unemployment rate being 2.6%. The oil industry has not only helped their employees, but others too. People involved in service industries, such as waitresses and carpenters are benefiting as well.
Fracking can also benefit the economy indirectly. Natural gas prices have been dropping steadily in the United States. This has caused a drop in electricity prices and leaves more money in the American people’s pockets. Land prices will be impacted as well. With higher demand for oil and natural gas companies will need to expand. This will lead to higher land prices and a positive jump for GDP.
Another benefit of fracking would be that it is a clean source of energy. Natural gas is a cleaner alternative to coal, which has a variety of air pollutants, like mercury and soot. This is what Obama had to say about it in his state of the union, “If extracted safely, the bridge fuel can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change”. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) followed that argument by suggesting that emissions of CO2 U.S power sector could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050. It is also a massive source of natural gas. The amount of natural gas being consumed by the U.S is about one-quarter. Because of this the domestic prices for it are at its lowest.
Fracking may seem like a good alternative after looking over these facts, but there are many disadvantages to it as well.
One of these disadvantages is the amount of pollution in the air that it causes. For example, Wyoming is starting to look like Los Angeles because of all the smog. Having been known for its breathtaking views and fresh mountain air, it’s hard to believe that it can get to that point. According to the EPA, Ozone levels are 2/3rd’s higher than the healthy maximum limit. It has gotten to the point in that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has asked children, the elderly and anyone with health problems to stay indoors.
Land and wildlife is also being affected by hydrolytic fracking. With the rising demand for gas production more land will be needed. Land is being cleared off at an unbelievable rate and habitats are being destroyed. This could cause a serious, and life-threatening impact on the wildlife. In California fracking is mostly done in areas where endangered species live and it can potentially do a lot of harm to …show more content…
them.
Fracking has also been linked to the contamination of groundwater. Since groundwater is found a few hundred feet deep if the metal casing is leaking methane can escape into the ground around it. A study done by Robert Jackson, a chemical engineer at Duke University, found that the closer you lived to a well that is used for hydraulic fracking the higher the concentration of methane is. In Pennsylvania there has been well over one-hundred and six cases of water contamination since 2005 because of fracking.
Overall personally believe that the benefits strongly out way the cost.
Although there are some environmental hazards they can be fixed in the long run. Fracking is currently giving the economy a giant push. The amount of methane gas that was found in the faucet water is also not toxic. If the leaks are fixed then it should not be a problem. It is also hard to prove that fracking was the cause as well because the water was not tested before fracking began in the area. Fracking will bring a positive change to our economy and our environment will not be as negatively impacted because we are always improving our technology.
Bibliography
Roth, Diana. "The Economic Effects of Hydrofracturing on Local Economies." Empire Center. N.p., 6 May 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
McElroy, Michael, and Xi Lu. "Fracking 's Future." Harvard Magazine. N.p., 5 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Fischetti, Mark. "Groundwater Contamination May End the Gas-Fracking Boom." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 01 May 2014.
Plumer, Brad. "Obama Says." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 01 May 2014.
Lydersen, Kari. "U.S. Chamber’s Fracking Job Boom: Behind the Numbers." Midwest Energy News. N.p., 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Apr.
2014
Hydraulic fracking for some is a dream come true. For others, it is a nightmare. The act of extracting oil and natural gas from shale rock layers from within the earth has environmentalists pulling out their hair and politicians jumping for joy. The contamination of groundwater, air and land is constantly being brought up in debates. The government on the other hand argues that it only causes minimal harm and the benefits, like job creation and individual wealth, far out way the cost.
One very important benefit that comes from fracking is the amount of jobs it is creating. According to a study done by the U.S Chamber of Commerce’s 21st Century Energy Institute, …show more content…
1.7 million jobs have been created and by 2035 there will an estimate of 3.5 million. Since more money is in the hands of the citizens there has been a substantial growth in communities. North Dakota, for example, has had a huge economic boom because of fracking; it’s unemployment rate being 2.6%. The oil industry has not only helped their employees, but others too. People involved in service industries, such as waitresses and carpenters are benefiting as well.
Fracking can also benefit the economy indirectly. Natural gas prices have been dropping steadily in the United States. This has caused a drop in electricity prices and leaves more money in the American people’s pockets. Land prices will be impacted as well. With higher demand for oil and natural gas companies will need to expand. This will lead to higher land prices and a positive jump for GDP.
Another benefit of fracking would be that it is a clean source of energy. Natural gas is a cleaner alternative to coal, which has a variety of air pollutants, like mercury and soot. This is what Obama had to say about it in his state of the union, “If extracted safely, the bridge fuel can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change”. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) followed that argument by suggesting that emissions of CO2 U.S power sector could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050. It is also a massive source of natural gas. The amount of natural gas being consumed by the U.S is about one-quarter. Because of this the domestic prices for it are at its lowest.
Fracking may seem like a good alternative after looking over these facts, but there are many disadvantages to it as well.
One of these disadvantages is the amount of pollution in the air that it causes. For example, Wyoming is starting to look like Los Angeles because of all the smog. Having been known for its breathtaking views and fresh mountain air, it’s hard to believe that it can get to that point. According to the EPA, Ozone levels are 2/3rd’s higher than the healthy maximum limit. It has gotten to the point in that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has asked children, the elderly and anyone with health problems to stay indoors.
Land and wildlife is also being affected by hydrolytic fracking. With the rising demand for gas production more land will be needed. Land is being cleared off at an unbelievable rate and habitats are being destroyed. This could cause a serious, and life-threatening impact on the wildlife. In California fracking is mostly done in areas where endangered species live and it can potentially do a lot of harm to …show more content…
them.
Fracking has also been linked to the contamination of groundwater. Since groundwater is found a few hundred feet deep if the metal casing is leaking methane can escape into the ground around it. A study done by Robert Jackson, a chemical engineer at Duke University, found that the closer you lived to a well that is used for hydraulic fracking the higher the concentration of methane is. In Pennsylvania there has been well over one-hundred and six cases of water contamination since 2005 because of fracking.
Overall personally believe that the benefits strongly out way the cost.
Although there are some environmental hazards they can be fixed in the long run. Fracking is currently giving the economy a giant push. The amount of methane gas that was found in the faucet water is also not toxic. If the leaks are fixed then it should not be a problem. It is also hard to prove that fracking was the cause as well because the water was not tested before fracking began in the area. Fracking will bring a positive change to our economy and our environment will not be as negatively impacted because we are always improving our technology.
Bibliography
Roth, Diana. "The Economic Effects of Hydrofracturing on Local Economies." Empire Center. N.p., 6 May 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
McElroy, Michael, and Xi Lu. "Fracking 's Future." Harvard Magazine. N.p., 5 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Fischetti, Mark. "Groundwater Contamination May End the Gas-Fracking Boom." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 01 May 2014.
Plumer, Brad. "Obama Says." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 01 May 2014.
Lydersen, Kari. "U.S. Chamber’s Fracking Job Boom: Behind the Numbers." Midwest Energy News. N.p., 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Apr.
2014