Ackerman 1

Brynn Ackerman

Mr. Ventura

English 12a

18 December 2020

Hydraulic Fracturing: Time to Prevent Future Destruction

The environment is in crucial condition and natural resources are rapidly depleting.

Fracking is the process of obtaining these natural gas by drilling down into the earth and

releasing a high pressure water mixture that allows gas to flow out. Although in the U.S. fracking

is a major source of natural, the air pollution, ecosystem destruction, and negative health impacts

call for a change in how energy is obtained (Kuwayama). Environmentalists believe fracking is a

major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in global warming. Some may argue

that without fracking, the U.S. economy would crumble and rely on foreign oil. While others

believe in the environmental stance by providing other means to obtain energy, such as solar

energy or wind energy; these individuals believe alternative energy sources would help slow

global warming, prevent health risks, and save ecosystems. Recent and reliable research shows

hydraulic fracturing is causing irreversible damage throughout the environment. Government

officials must implement strict laws and restrictions on fracking sites to prevent future

environmental destruction.

 Fracking’s negative impacts on society, the environment, and health

o Fracking site are destroying water quality, causing destruction of species’

habitats and ecosystems

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- Downstream surface water quality impacts from incomplete water waste

treatment by chemical waste treatments have been demonstrated for chloride and

bromide. Increases in these dissolved solids from fracking are harming

economically important species such as brook trout (Kuwayama).

o Improper disposal of run-off water from fracking sites is contaminating

drinking water

- Study shows high levels of arsenic, selenium, strontium, and barium were found

in drinking water located within 3 kilometers of active fracking sites

(Kuwayama).

o The continuation of fracking will cause long term health problems

- Radionuclides (cancer causing agent) from treated flow back and produced water

are accumulating in stream sediments are partial removal by chemical waste

treatment (Kuwayama).

- People living near drilling sites are presenting with symptoms (skin rashes,

nausea, abdominal pain, respiratory difficulty, headaches, dizziness, eye irritation,

nose irritation) that demand further investigation (Finkel).

 Wind Energy Benefits

o Wind energy has less of an impact on land

- Compared to wind energy, unconventional gas development had the largest

impact on intensive agricultural land, 3 times larger than wind energy

development (Davis).
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- Natural habitats provide extensive ecosystem services to humanity, by some

estimates equaling a monetary value larger than the current gross world product

(Davis).

o Switching to wind turbines will save money and cause revenue for the

economy

- Wind turbines costs $25,551 and a fracking well costs $49,675 (Davis).

- The structural integrity of wells can and does fail over time; for example, cement

cracks and steel casing barriers corrode (Finkel).

o Wind energy does not impact water quality, human health, and air quality

- The cost benefit analysis shows ecosystems are often ignored, yet highly impacted

by fracking sites (Davis).

- These types of issues are typically smaller for wind energy since it is non-

polluting (Davis).

 Fracking’s relationship to global warming

o While there are many steps in obtaining the natural oil when fracking, the

drilling process releases numerous pollutants causing greenhouse gases

- Well venting, flaring, and burning gas on release account for the largest source of

air emissions. Volatile organic compounds and diesel particulate matter, for

example, result in elevated air pollution concentrations that exceed the US

Environmental Protection agency guidelines for both carcinogenic and non-

carcinogenic(Finkel).

o The safety of fracking wells is undetermined and poses major threat to

society and the environment

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- Wells have blowouts, spills are common, and methane is leaked and vented into

the atmosphere at all stages of the extraction process, permanently effecting the

environment (Finkel).

o Fracking is the leading cause in global warming

- While some geographic areas may see advantages of a warmer climate, estimates

show net impacts of climate change are likely to be widespread and significant.

Without continued emissions reductions, not only is the environment at risk, but

the public health and welfare of current and future generations are at risk (Finkel).

 Rebuttal – The economy is more important than the environment

o Fracking bans will cause the U.S. economy to be dependent on other

countries

- Fracking growth would result in lower prices, higher employment, and royalty

payments (Murtazashvili).

- Even with the high estimate of net costs of $28 billion, the net benefits from

fracking are $20 billion per year and could be as much as $48 billion.

(Murtazashvili).

o Fracking benefits trickle throughout the economy

- Each million dollars of new oil and gas extracted increases income, business

income, and jobs to local economies (Murtazashvili).

o Naysayer – economists and most republicans

o Wind energy benefits the economy as much as fracking

- Older wells only produce small amounts of oil, in order to keep fracking going

new wells need to be drilled daily, resulting in higher costs (Stanberry).

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o The U.S. will not be dependent on other countries because other energy

sources are available

- Wind energy production has increased in the U.S., showing a 400% increase. The

U.S. could rely on wind energy rather than fracking (Davis).

Implementing strict laws and restrictions on fracking sites will prevent further damage

onto the environment, society, and ecosystems. Beginning the shift from natural gas and oil to

wind energy is necessary to change the downward environmental spiral the U.S. is currently

enduring. Alternate energy sources reap major benefits and should not be overlooked by

economists. Wind energy will stop environmental damage, health risks, destruction of

ecosystems, and will even benefit the economy in the long run. Changing the way energy is

obtained will be a strenuous process, but it is time to start before it is too late. In the past five

years, more than 75 tort-based cases have been filed by property owners claiming property and

personal injury damage caused by fracking operations, bringing more attention to the legal action

that needs to occur (Stanberry). Government officials must enforce strict laws and restrictions on

fracking sites in order to prevent a daunting future.

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Works Cited

Davis, Kendall M., et al. “A Comparison of the Impacts of Wind Energy and Unconventional Gas

Development on Land-Use and Ecosystem Services: An Example from the Anadarko

Basin of Oklahoma, USA.” Environmental Management, vol. 61, no. 5, 19 Jan. 2018, pp.

Accessed 27 October 2020.

Elliott, Elise G, et al. “A Systematic Evaluation of Chemicals in Hydraulic-Fracturing Fluids and

Wastewater for Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity.” Journal of Exposure Science

& Environmental Epidemiology, vol. 27, no. 1, 2016, pp. 90–99.,

doi:10.1038/jes.2015.8196–804., doi:10.1007/s00267-018-1010-0. Accessed 27 October

2020.

Finkel, Madelon L, and Jake Hays. “Environmental and Health Impacts of ‘Fracking’: Why

Epidemiological Studies Are Necessary.” Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,

vol. 70, no. 3, 7 Mar. 2015, pp. 221–222., doi:10.1136/jech-2015-205487. Accessed 27

October 2020.

Kuwayama, Yusuke, et al. “Water Quality and Quantity Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing.”

Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, vol. 2, no. 1, 20 Jan. 2015, pp. 17–24.,

doi:10.1007/s40518-014-0023-4. Accessed 27 October 2020.

Murtazashvili, Ilia, and Ennio Piano. “The Consequences of the Shale Boom.” The Political

Economy of Fracking”, 2018, pp. 87–103., doi:10.4324/9780429456763-5. Accessed 27

October 2020.
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Stanberry, Kurt. “Evaluating the True Costs of Oil and Gas Fracking: Environmental Liability,

Governmental Regulations, and Geological Realities.” International ResreachJournal of

Applies Finance, VII, no. 2229-6891, 11 Nov. 2016, pp. 350–355., doi:10.0711. Accessed

27 October 2020