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What the Frack?With information from Jacob Friedman
What is Fracking?Hydraulic Fracturing AKA
HydrofrackingHigh-pressure water mixed with
chemicals and sand are injected into wells to extract natural gas
Creates fractures in rocks that allow oil and natural gas to escape and flow out of the well. Horizontal drilling allows▪ 16 acres*
Make cracks in shale rock to free gas▪ Gas flows to surface▪ 70% of water returns as waste
Advantages of FrackingObtain oil and natural gas in places
where conventional practices were ineffective or cost-prohibitive
Lower energy dependencyCreates jobs
Stimulate local economies▪ $2000 per US household▪ 1.7 million jobs▪ Rural areas get wealth
Help out of recession*
Advantages of FrackingLower transportation costs/fossil
fuel useNatural gas
Efficient fossil fuel: 90%**
Low CO2 emission Less global climate change
110 years of energy in USA 2 lifetimes?
Disadvantages of Fracking
Environmental impact Definite Indefinite
Social impactCorporate negligence
Further environmental impact
Disadvantages of Fracking
Dangerous Chemicals used and could enter the water table
Toxic, radioactive, and caustic liquid waste by-products pose storage, treatment and disposal problems.
No regulations or safeguardsContaminated waterAir pollutionDestroy streams Negative mpact on flora & fauna
Environmental ImpactLand used for clearing, well pad, and
storage pit2-4 billion gallons of water
15-16,000 gallons chemicals▪ Carcinogens, toxins, poisons (undisclosed)
Radioactive elements filtered & accumulated from wastewater
Environmental ImpactDispute over methane migration
Hundreds of feet below all aquifers Studies find correlation between
microbial methane in aquifers & distance to well▪ No disclosure & bias = lack of reliable studies
Faulty cementing more likely
Social ImpactLandowners w/o mineral rights must
allow fracking access Both parties must accommodate Force pooling: 16 acres away
Industrialism of rural areas Increase in heavy truck crashes in rural
areas Linked to increased STDs*
Landowners don’t know about fracking violations
Corporate NegligenceWastewater filtered in licensed
treatment plants Common practice: wastewater
evaporation pits▪ Not reinforced or guarded▪ Toxic materials can spill/release harmful
chemicalsFaulty cement casing
Cracks can lead to aquifers Not considered (by def) part of fracking
Government Interference
2004 EPA study Bush exempts fracking from Safe Water Drinking Act
No disclosure for fracking chemicals Good for business
Lack of mineral rights = accommodate fracking companies Force pooling
Fracking exploration in NC by Oct 2014
AMERICA
In the words of George Washington:
“GOD BLESS THE USA!”