What the Frack?With information from Jacob Friedman

What is Fracking?Hydraulic Fracturing AKA

HydrofrackingHigh-pressure water mixed with

chemicals and sand are injected into wells to extract natural gas

Creates fractures in rocks that allow oil and natural gas to escape and flow out of the well. Horizontal drilling allows▪ 16 acres*

Make cracks in shale rock to free gas▪ Gas flows to surface▪ 70% of water returns as waste

Advantages of FrackingObtain oil and natural gas in places

where conventional practices were ineffective or cost-prohibitive

Lower energy dependencyCreates jobs

Stimulate local economies▪ $2000 per US household▪ 1.7 million jobs▪ Rural areas get wealth

Help out of recession*

Advantages of FrackingLower transportation costs/fossil

fuel useNatural gas

Efficient fossil fuel: 90%**

Low CO2 emission Less global climate change

110 years of energy in USA 2 lifetimes?

Disadvantages of Fracking

Environmental impact Definite Indefinite

Social impactCorporate negligence

Further environmental impact

Disadvantages of Fracking

Dangerous Chemicals used and could enter the water table

Toxic, radioactive, and caustic liquid waste by-products pose storage, treatment and disposal problems.

No regulations or safeguardsContaminated waterAir pollutionDestroy streams Negative mpact on flora & fauna

Environmental ImpactLand used for clearing, well pad, and

storage pit2-4 billion gallons of water

15-16,000 gallons chemicals▪ Carcinogens, toxins, poisons (undisclosed)

Radioactive elements filtered & accumulated from wastewater

Environmental ImpactDispute over methane migration

Hundreds of feet below all aquifers Studies find correlation between

microbial methane in aquifers & distance to well▪ No disclosure & bias = lack of reliable studies

Faulty cementing more likely

Social ImpactLandowners w/o mineral rights must

allow fracking access Both parties must accommodate Force pooling: 16 acres away

Industrialism of rural areas Increase in heavy truck crashes in rural

areas Linked to increased STDs*

Landowners don’t know about fracking violations

Corporate NegligenceWastewater filtered in licensed

treatment plants Common practice: wastewater

evaporation pits▪ Not reinforced or guarded▪ Toxic materials can spill/release harmful

chemicalsFaulty cement casing

Cracks can lead to aquifers Not considered (by def) part of fracking

Government Interference

2004 EPA study Bush exempts fracking from Safe Water Drinking Act

No disclosure for fracking chemicals Good for business

Lack of mineral rights = accommodate fracking companies Force pooling

Fracking exploration in NC by Oct 2014

AMERICA

In the words of George Washington:

“GOD BLESS THE USA!”