http://online.wsj.com/article/APc48cb888a1a5458ba824533a7bd3b6f7.htmlThe picture shown here to right is a map of the Marcellus Shale, which has shifted over the years and is now beneath Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and New York. Pennsylvania is the center of Fracking for Natural Gas within these states.
Summary :
This article talks about how Fracking is a huge problem. Environmentalists believe that fracking can poision the water supply, but the natural gas industries have told them other wise that "it's been used safely for several decades." This report was issued Nov 18 and since then nothing has been done about it. It stated that over the summer there had been several meetings discussing the impacts of fracking and that the environmental concerns are not getting enough attention for this problem. Also, it stated that there has been some improvement in areas, but barely any. The summary had also stated that there is a big risk of environmental consequences that could delay or stop the fracking for natural gas. Eventually they believe if we keep this ongoing that the shale gas production will be expanded across the United States and there could be as many as 100,000 wells within the next decade.
Opinion :
I believe that we should cut down on the amounts of Fracking done in Pennsylvania. Here in this state it's a big problem. If this problem gets any bigger than what it is, it could eventually become a problem across the whole country instead of just one area. Personally, I don't want our drinking water to be poisioned and I'm sure others in this state and states around us don't want that either. There is already enough we don't know about our drinking water that has the potentially to kill us, and fracking could just be another factor to add onto it.
Questions :
Have they come up with any other alternative ways for fracking? If so what?
Besides areas on the east coast, are there any other regions within the United States that have a huge Fracking problem or is only here?
How long has the problem been ongoing for and if it's been for long periods of time, why hasn't someone come up with some insightful solution?
Do they expect the Marcellus Shale to shift again? Could if have a negative or positive impact on our region if it does?
I agree with brophy,natural gas is a fossil fuel which will eventually run out. Damaging the earth and poisoning our waters isn't worth it. What we should be doing instead of fracking is coming up with ideas that could potentially be less harmful to our environment and a serious source of energy for all of our futures. The hw we did for class on coal/petroleum/natural gas described the dangers of fracking and how bad it was for the environment. If we are destroying where we live, is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
1. Why would we continue to damage our waters when theyre already polluted enough
2. Are we looking for other sources of energy rather than relying on fossil fuels?
3. Are there other countries that suffer from the same problem of fracking?
Fracking is a big problem because it has a great potential of affecting our drinking water, and our health. The process of drilling into shale rock and injecting chemicals in it has many downsides. It isn't environmentally friendly, and it is poisoning water supplies. So far there hasn't been any major Fracking problems that resulted in tragedy, but it shouldn't take a major problem to come up with a solution or alternative source. Recently, a lot of pollution is being found across the world. Learning about it and then seeing major industries add to it is frustrating. Not only does this affect the environment but it will affect all the people, including us. Pennsylvania, and the U.S. as a whole, definitely needs to cut back on the amount of Fracking done to the area around us.
ReplyDeleteI read an article from BBC news that explained what Fracking is exactly. It's called Fracking because "it is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing and refers to how the rock is fractured apart by the high pressure mixture." The article also explains why it is such a controversial topic.
The three biggest issues brought up are all substantial issues, but there is also data that goes against it.One issue are the worries that the Fracking process can cause small earth tremors. Because of some previous earthquakes, people are starting to relate the two. Also, it is being said that shale gas may be a problem for global warming as well. Lastly, there are many concerns that chemicals can be slip into the drinking water. Fracking has many upsides and downsides, but the U.S. needs to figure out what is the safest way to go about it.
You can find the whole story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401
I agree that we should cut down on fracking, it ruins the environment and is making water poisonous. We are eventually going to have to come up with other ways to get energy instead of using fossil fuels, so why don't we start now. Natural gas is the cleanest of fossil fuels so I would understand why people would go for natural gas for energy. However, is it actually that clean considering how much of earth would be destroyed if we continue doing this?
ReplyDelete1.) Considering people are always protesting the rainforest destruction and oil spills in the ocean, why isn't there protesting about fracking?
2.) Does fracking here affect other countries?
3.) Do people ignore this topic because it benefits them?
There are a lot of problems with this fracking issue. I definitely agree that it has negative effects on the environment and should not be happening. However, fracking is an entire industry. Making it illegal would put many, many people out of jobs. This is similar to an issue like smoking. Smoking has obvious negative impacts on health, but the industry can't be shut down because of the number of people involved in the industry.
ReplyDeleteAn article recently showed up in my reader about fracking. I'll post the link at the end of the comment. Basically, the article is about a new law in which Colorado and Texas fracking industries are required to make a list of the chemicals used in their fracking process available for public use. This surprised me because I was shocked that they weren't supplying this list originally, and other states still aren't required to. Poisoning a peoples' water supply is terrible, but not telling them about it?
http://www.treehugger.com/fossil-fuels/colorado-and-texas-require-disclosure-fracking-chemicals.html