Fracturing, Good or Bad?
Horizontal fracturing, commonly known as “fracking” is process used to release oil or gas from underground formations that are otherwise too difficult to mine. Over the past few years, advances in fracking technology have made an abundant storage amount of natural gas in the United States, and overall cheaper for the first time. The process is somewhat controversial, there are people who oppose fracing, but others are for it. I believe that fracing is an unnecessary solution for mining resources, only to be used in dire situations. In the process of fracing, fractures are created and extended from wells into oil and gas formations by pumping highly-pressurized fluid (water, sand, ceramic beads, and a mixture of chemicals) into the oil or gas formation. Oil and gas then flow up the well to the surface where they can be retrieved and processed for use. In this process other chemicals are released into the ground causing more damage than good. “Democrat report released in April identified about 750 chemicals that have also been used in the process, 29 of which are either likely or known carcinogens.” (US News. U.S.News & World Report) Fracing is known to produce pollutants in the air such as, methane, benzene, and sulfur oxide. In reality fracing is causing damage to our soil, meaning polluting it, which could eventually lead to the pollution in our water supply. Although fracing may be less costly than traditional mining or drilling, ultimately fracking would cost us more in the long run because of the cleanup of the pollutants.
Fracking does come with some benefits to it. It allows us to reach the oils and natural gasses quicker than normal and it is also cheaper when compared to traditional mining. I believe fracing should only be used when resources are scarce because of the damage it causes to our environment. In the case of supply and demand, we shouldn’t