Hydraulic Fracturing
_____________________
Political and Economic
Thoughts on the
Fracking Nation
_____________________
SMGT 435
Research Paper
Lorie LaPorta
May 3, 2013
Political and Economic Thoughts on the Fracking Nation
Introduction
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a horizontal drilling method that extracts natural gas from Marcellus shale formations thousands of feet below the surface. A high pressure water mixtures is pushed into a well, and pressure applied so the shale cracks and releases gas. The gases are then captured and refined. Since this high technology system has been developed, there has not been enough structured support, such as reports and surveys, to determine the safety of the environment and its inhabitants. Is fracking a sustainable practice that allows enough transparency for government systems to deem it safe? Given the amount of natural gas below the surface of the earth, it is practical to think drilling should continue, but at what costs? More can be done to establish this process viable for all concerned. We must ask- how does the lack of transparency shape society and the economy?
Political Aspects of Hydraulic Fracturing
Domestic reserves of natural gas beneath the earth’s surface are massive. Gas drilling booms have popped up in numerous states throughout the country-Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania, to name a few. Halliburton Corp. developed a way to mine horizontally. In 1990, boring parallel to the horizontal layers of shale exposed gas deposits, from which Halliburton reaped the profits. There is no denying that America needs alternative fuel sources, and this is one way to ease the demand on foreign oil. Ernest Moniz, director of MIT Energy Initiative, believes natural gas is a bridge to a low-carbon future until alternative sources such as wind, solar and geothermal become more viable. He states natural gas
Political and Economic
Thoughts on the
Fracking Nation
_____________________
SMGT 435
Research Paper
Lorie LaPorta
May 3, 2013
Political and Economic Thoughts on the Fracking Nation
Introduction
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a horizontal drilling method that extracts natural gas from Marcellus shale formations thousands of feet below the surface. A high pressure water mixtures is pushed into a well, and pressure applied so the shale cracks and releases gas. The gases are then captured and refined. Since this high technology system has been developed, there has not been enough structured support, such as reports and surveys, to determine the safety of the environment and its inhabitants. Is fracking a sustainable practice that allows enough transparency for government systems to deem it safe? Given the amount of natural gas below the surface of the earth, it is practical to think drilling should continue, but at what costs? More can be done to establish this process viable for all concerned. We must ask- how does the lack of transparency shape society and the economy?
Political Aspects of Hydraulic Fracturing
Domestic reserves of natural gas beneath the earth’s surface are massive. Gas drilling booms have popped up in numerous states throughout the country-Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania, to name a few. Halliburton Corp. developed a way to mine horizontally. In 1990, boring parallel to the horizontal layers of shale exposed gas deposits, from which Halliburton reaped the profits. There is no denying that America needs alternative fuel sources, and this is one way to ease the demand on foreign oil. Ernest Moniz, director of MIT Energy Initiative, believes natural gas is a bridge to a low-carbon future until alternative sources such as wind, solar and geothermal become more viable. He states natural gas
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