Hydraulic Fracturing and Natural Gas

Hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, is a way to obtain natural gas in shale formations. Like other sources of energy, natural gas has its pros and cons. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “responsible development of America’s shale gas resources offers important economic, energy security, and environmental benefits.”1 The EPA believes that it can work with states and use regulation and research to ensure that natural gas extraction does not harm public health or the environment.1 However, opponents to natural gas think that it is an unclean source of energy and furthers the dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels.

Proponents for natural gas can point to its economic benefits. In the United States, natural gas has tremendously impacted energy markets; natural gas provides a quarter of all gas production and has lowered energy prices. 2 Cheap gas has helped the economy in other ways by aiding the petrochemical industry as well as other energy-intensive businesses, by providing jobs, and by lowering electricity bills.2 In addition, American shale gas significantly reduces America’s requirements for imported liquefied natural gas and eliminated the need for natural gas exports from Iran, a country that uses its control of energy resources to strengthen its political power.2 Natural gas can also help both America and China to reduce their dependency on the Middle East for energy.2

Proponents for natural gas also point out that all forms of currently available means of energy production leave some environmental impact; thus one has to consider the relative availability, cost, and reliability of a energy source in conjunction with its environmental impact when making decisions about how to obtain energy.2 Hydraulic fracturing is used to extract oil and gas, not just natural gas, thus the environmental impacts linked to hydraulic fracturing are not unique to natural gas.2 Disposing of waste water, a major problem in natural gas production, is also a problem in almost every form of energy production.2 Natural gas has environmental benefits compared to coal; natural gas production releases less carbon dioxide and mercury into the environment compared to coal production. 2

On the other hand, opponents to natural gas stress the environmental impacts of fracking. Fracking can pollute both the air and water. It requires large volumes of water, stressing surface water and ground water supplies.1 In addition, fracking can cause contamination of underground sources of drinking water and surface water through spills or faulty well construction.1 Natural gas in rich in methane, which affects both air and water quality. When methane is separated from fluids and other gases, the process released volatile organic compounds.3 Chemicals containing volatile organic compounds may also be used when a well is drilled or during fracking to break up rock formations.3 In addition, compressors and other equipment emit volatile organic compounds.3 Volatile organic compounds can be harmful to human health, causing symptoms such as headache, loss of coordination, and damage to the liver and kidneys.3 In addition, volatile organic compounds contribute to the creation of ground-level ozone, which can contribute to severe respiratory and immune system problems.3

As the natural gas industry grows, it will come into conflict with ranching, wilderness recreation, and housing developments. In the coming years, public exposure to pollutants involved in energy production is expected to increase, with many possible consequences. However, natural gas may also have many economical benefits, and if regulated properly, may be a safer source of energy than the sources commonly used today.

1http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing
2http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/934
3http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1817691/

3 responses to “Hydraulic Fracturing and Natural Gas

  1. Natural gas is only a temporary fix. We need to develop cutting edge, clean, renewable energy as quickly as possible. Natural gas can be the bridge that provides us energy between the fossil fuel era and the green era, but the green era must be prepared and ready to take over when natural gas has reached its limit for use.

  2. I don’t really think any form of energy that consists of cracking the earth open to get all it’s natural resources isn’t really a good idea. I have heard a lot of bad things about fracking, too, and although I’m not nearly educated enough on the subject to accurately judge whether those stories are just isolated incidents or if fracking actually causes that many problems, I’m still not convinced it’s sustainable.

  3. It’s worth noting that Penn State is intimately connected to the current fracking boom. Terry Engelder, a Penn State geosciences professor, predicted in 2008 that that 50 trillion cubic feet of Marcellus Shale could be converted into natural gas, which kickstarted the drilling of wells you see today in PA and Ohio: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/440/game-changer

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