The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

Fracking has large impact on daily life for global consumers, it effects prices and availability of fuels for consumers. Fracking is an exceptionally complicated process. To start the process, a ten thousand foot well is drilled below the surface into shale layers. Next, 1 to 8 million gallons of water mixed with chemicals are injected into the well at extremely high pressures to crack the rock. This will allow the product to flow out once the water is mostly removed. This process is highly controversial and is often the basis for political debates and arguments. There are several valid points brought forth on each side of the argument. In the article, “Should Fracking Stop,” the authors, Robert W. Howarth and Anthony Ingraffea, argue the negative environmental …show more content…
Engelder makes the claim that shale gas accounts for “more than 20% of the total conventional recoverable US oil reserve,” and “generate 3 million barrels a day by 2020, offsetting one-third current oil imports” (Howarth, 271-274). However, an agreement can be made for the amount of land used for extracting shale gas. All three authors agree that with new technology, more underground gas can extracted with a smaller footprint on the environment above ground, but while using more water. The agreement stops there though, Howarth and Ingraffea disagree with Engelder on the environmental effects of the used fracking solution on the environment and to the population.
The most controversial issues of fracking are the negative effects on the environment and on the population near the well. The process involves the use of millions of gallons of fresh water is pumped underground at extremely high pressures. Howarth and Ingraffea claim that the average of 20 million gallons of water that are used can threaten an ecosystem, while Engelder claims that well “operators stockpile rainwater during the wet season to use during drier months” to alleviate the