Fracking Research Paper

Fracking is a major method of production for natural gas in the United States today. Currently there are more than 106,132 hydraulic fracturing wells operating in the United States (FracFocus). Although hydraulic fracturing has many benefits a large percentage of the populous regards it as environmentally detrimental and unsafe. This is largely in part due a biased media and popular citizens who are uneducated in the subject of fracking stating negative left-wing views. The negative attributes of fracking, such as fracking fluid dispersal and other environmental issues are outweighed by the vast economic gains and can be mitigated by a new system of regulations and development of new technologies for the industry. I chose this topic due to …show more content…
In Kelli Fisher’s article about the secrecies of the fracking industry she mentions how well industry hides the recipes to fracking fluids and careful they are to stay off of the media and out of courtrooms. She mention several cases in which people were indirectly injured from fracking and were well compensated for their injuries, but had to sign an agreement to remain quiet about their injury. The website, FracFocus, gives the ability to the public to access records pertaining to hydraulic fracturing wells near them. It even lists the various non trade secret components of fracking fluid, however, some of the components are hidden from view with the label “Industry Trade Secret.” This shows that the industry is capable of controlling the outputs of different scenarios ranging from wrongful injury to most negative publication about the industry. Lastly, the article “A Double Negative,” by Leah Goodman, describes the Texan Governments’ embrace of fracking. Recently the city of Denton Texas, a population of 120,000, voted to ban the fracking operation near their city. The commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, George Prescott Bush, thought otherwise and passed legislation making it illegal to ban fracking in Texas. This is one of the first cases that a state government sided with the fracking industry. This article proves that the fracking industry has the power to sway the decision of some state governments in their

Show More