Overview
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside. In 2000, shale beds provided just 1 percent of America’s natural gas supply. Today, nationally, fracking produces two-thirds (67 percent) of the natural gas in the United States, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and 50% the nation’s oil.
But are the environmental costs too steep?
Fracking has become quite a contentious issue. Take a stand and defend whether you support or oppose fracking. A few questions to consider:
- Is fracking a solution to our energy problem?
- Do shale reserves mean security for US and its oil and gas industry
- Does fracking threaten our groundwater? Or is there no evidence of groundwater contamination?
- Does fracking cause earthquakes?
- Does fracking threaten public safety and health?
- How is fracking regulated?
- What is the water footprint of fracking?
To earn all 5 points available for this discussion, address some of the points above AND comment on a peer's post.