List of Pros and Cons of Hydraulic Fracturing
Drilling oil is a costly thing that needs to be done in order for our society to keep on moving. There is, however, an innovative process called hydraulic fracturing that saves a lot of money while drilling oil and gas from rock formations under the ground. This is a booming industry and some people say that it is safe and it has a positive impact on our economy. If it is cheaper and it can easily help our economy, why not? Well, some other people say the process carries risks, some known, and some others are not known yet. According to these people, the risks are regarding water supplies, and public health agencies should be monitored.
List of Pros of Hydraulic Fracturing
1. Vastness of Resources Available
The pros of hydraulic fracturing can be many. First off, there are, only in North America, so many fossil fuels locked inside bedrock shale formations that the United States can become completely independent when it comes to energy. And, in fact, it can actually start exporting oil and gas in the future.
This is amazing news to national economy, and in fact it could do wonders to our current social situation. People are angry because the economy is down and they have no money to supply their essential needs.
2. Decrease of Dependence
Not only that, tapping those sources would make the United States less dependent on political terms as well. We all know that some countries survive based on their strategic positioning in the globe, since they were lucky enough to have natural resources on their territory. Also, the West would be less dependent on Russia’s natural gas.
3. Increase in Jobs
On top of that, the boom in the oil and gas industry would create hundreds of jobs in the places where hydraulic fracturing is possible. Since the industry can be so profitable, these jobs would have the possibility to pay above average wagers.
List of Cons of Hydraulic Fracturing
1. Place Toxins in Water Supply
Hydraulic fracturing involves getting sand and chemicals into the ground to break the bedrock, and this worries environmentalists because this could poison underground water supplies.
2. Undisclosed Chemicals
Currently, companies are not required to disclose what formula of chemicals they use in the process, and this certainly makes the whole thing a lot harder for everyone involved, since even scientists would have a tough time figuring out what’s happening.
3. Constant Pollution
Hydraulic fracturing itself is done during both day and night, causing noise and light pollution damaging the life of everyone around the procedure. Plus the transportation of the materials required in the sites are done in heavy trucks, turning calm rural areas into industrial areas.
4. Eliminate Local Supplies
Finally, the stakes for this type of procedure keep on rising. Environmental groups claim that energy companies push departments to allow “resource play hubs” (multiple drilling wells from the same place). This could easily delete local water supplies.