Is Hydrologic Fracturing a Suitable Form of Energy Production?

Yes
Hydraulic fracturing is technologies that has developed and evolve throughout the
decades with support from the federal government and private sector. The continuing escalated
concerns over developing alternate and cleaner energy resources has led hydraulic fracturing or
fracking to come under fire due to how it is produce. The ability to extract gas from shale could
lead to expanding global energy supplies. The development of shale gas resources when use
responsibly will lead to new energy resources, increase economic growth and is beneficial to the
environment.
The process of fracking is to pump a pressurized mixture of sand, water and additives
into a well bore that breaks the shale and releases the gas ("The fight over," 2009). The drilling
techniques used for fracking are uses globally and the preventive measures such as installing
well casings and careful monitoring of the fluids that are release in order to prevent crosscontamination with drinking water ("The fight over," 2009). This is concerning but with the
correct measures in place preventable.
Fracking is not a part of federal regulatory guidelines. The Obama administration has
developed an oversight group to begin the regulatory process that would bring problematic
guidelines that are considered to be excessive and prevent or slow down the process of fracking
("The fight over," 2009). Thereby interfering with the evolution process of developing a cleaner
and alternated energy that would mean moving away from fossil fuel which and become a part of
the global warming concern.
The use of hydraulic fracturing by the gas industry in the past means that without
government regulations controlling their actions that the industry has conducted safe operating
standards ("The fight over," 2009). If the government over regulates the production of hydraulic

fracturing, will it cause more problems or streamline the process? Regulating the companies that
are carless and are problematic in contaminating the drinking water or dumping toxic fluid
anywhere that is dangerous for the public is solvable by placing a high fine or shutting down
those companies ("The fight over," 2009). In April 2012, the first time issue national standard
that controls air pollution from fracking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
was made to prevent the release of the natural gas into the atmosphere ("The fight over," 2009).
The reductions in emissions will provide a safe and stable environment for the production of
energy.
The further proof that hydraulic fracturing is a positive is the revenue from the process
that has assisted the various states that are involve in this enterprise. The sluggish economies of
states that are part of the fracking process have increased their economy versus the still
slowdown national economy. In February 2012, the Pennsylvania legislature approved
legislation that would direct more than $200 million a year in shale impact fees to local
communities and counties from drilling in the Marcellus region (Ross, 2012). The negative
question that arise is this will an over abundance of fracking in the various regions increase the
unemployment rate too rapidly and then plunge these communities into local economic
depression? If the companies involve make an effort to be socially responsible then if will assist
in developing the communities and resulted in a positive partnership (Ross, 2012).
Those take the position against fracking are slowing the development of renewable
energy that are part of the solution to weaning this country off of fossil fuel and continuing to
buy oil from overseas competitors. Natural gas is a cheap and a renewable energy that is the next
step in the energy revolution (Hauter, 2012). Placing safeguards that provide pollution controls
and reducing the impact on local communities ecosystems resolves the problems against

fracking. Natural gas being a cleaner energy source is beneficial to the environment and it will
become of the next generational process of new energies (Hauter, 2012).
The future generations life span may be shorten by the continuation of using fossil fuel as
our primary energy resource. Hydraulic fracturing is the revolutionary step in producing
renewable energy that reduces the harmful emission that accompanies producing oil. The benefit
for the economies of the states associated with companies that use hydraulic fracturing has
experience growth in an otherwise sluggish economy. These are only some of the reasons the
fracking is a suitable form of energy production.

References
Hauter, W. (2012, September 17). Memo to fracking apologists: You're hurting renewable (and
you're greenwashing, too). Retrieved from http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org
Ross, B. (2012, July 05). Hydraulic fracturing - an introduction and policy consideration for
states. Retrieved from http://www.csg.org
The fight over fracking. (2009). Retrieved October 11, 2012 from
http://www.thinkglobalgreen.org