LIBRARY
PHI 346: Environmental Ethics: Natural Gas -- Hydraulic Fracturing
About Hydraulic "fracking"
Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial drilling process that uses highly pressurized water, sand and chemicals to extract natural gas and oil deeply buried in the earth. ...
- Hydraulic fracturing fluids are known to include toxic and carcinogenic chemicals.
- There are numerous documented cases of environmental and public health impacts as a result of fracturing.
- Companies involved in this process do not disclose the chemical constituents of their fracturing fluids.
- Fracturing requires and has the potential to contaminate enormous quantities of water. In some cases the statistics around actual water used are confidentail for the first 6 months (Wyoming)
- Hydraulic fracturing operations have significant quality of life impacts-from the creation of a spider web of new roads, to increased traffic and noise pollution, to the increased potential for spills-on the communities where they operate.
- Drillers are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.
[Global Fund Exchange]
Useful Websites
- American Petroleum InstituteHydraulic fracturing makes it possible to produce oil and natural gas in places where conventional technologies are ineffective.
- Hydraulic Fracturing or "Hydrofracking"Hydrofracking Changes Water Wells. A study by Duke University researchers
- Marcellus Shale GasThe Marcellus Shale... occurs in the subsurface beneath much of Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. [Maps, diagrams, etc.]
- Texas Tribune: EPA issues new regulatory standardsThe Environmental Protection Agency ... issued new regulatory standards for oil and gas wells that use hydraulic fracturing. [7/28/2011]
- US Dept of Energy Ninety-Day Report , Aug 11, 2011The Shale Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board is charged with identifying measures that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact and improve the safety of shale gas production.
- Water: Hydraulic Fracturing [EPA]EPA is studying the impact of hydraulic fracturing on the water supply.
- Yale environment360Just How Safe Is ‘Fracking’ of Natural Gas? [June 2011]