AIM: What is fracking? Why is fracking such a controversial topic?

DN: What do you know about fracking?

What Is Hydro-Fracking?• Fracturing rock layers with a pressurized fluid to release

petroleum or natural gas• This includes

– Vertical and horizontal drilling– high volume water injection

• The fracking fluid includes:– 98-99% water– sand to hold the fractures open– many chemical additives for a variety of purposes

• Wells are typically drilled about 5000 ft vertically and 4500 ft horizontally but can go down much deeper

• Hydro-fracking underlying shale rock to release trapped natural gas has recently become a major issue in New York and Pennsylvania

What is Fracking?

BOTH SIDES OF FRACKING

Pros of Fracking

• Cheaper alternative to oil• Less carbon emissions• Monetary(money)value for homeowners• Creates jobs• Rely less on foreign countries for oil

Cons of Fracking• Contaminating water supplies• Industrialization of residential areas• Fragmenting (breaking up) forest and farmland• Air Pollution- releases methane • Real estate value may decrease• Trigger Earthquakes?

Typical Well Pad

Environmental Concerns • Water use

– Fracking can require up to 5 million gallons of water.

• Air pollution• Water pollution

• Mishandling of wastes• Human health effects• Escaped methane • Increased ozone pollution

Chemical Additives – 12 Classes

• Proppant

• Acid

• Breaker

• Bacericide/biocide

• Clay stabilizer

• Corrosion inhibitor

• Cross linker

• Friction reducer

• Gelling agent

• Iron control

• Scale inhibitor

• Surfactant

Sample Additives

Hydro-Fracked Landscape Undisturbed Landscape

Up to 20 well sites are allowed for each pad.

Additional Facts • In 2005, the National Energy Act exempted hydraulic

fracking from all Federal regulation (Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund Law).

• Modern large-scale hydro-fracking began in Montana in the 1990’s. Before then very few wells were fracked and they were small ones using little water.

• Recent concerns include the possible triggering of earthquakes by the fracking process (which could allow greater movement of toxic fluids and methane)

• The EPA was commissioned to do a detailed environmental study

What are some other alternatives to heat our homes

and produce electricity?

• Solar power

• Hydro power

• Geothermal energy

• Wind energy

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON FRACKING? SHOULD WE ALLOW

FRACKING OR SHOULD IT BE PREVENTED? EXPLAIN YOUR

ANSWER.