What is Fracking? Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high- pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.

Why is it called fracking? shorthand for hydraulic fracturing and refers to how the rock is fractured apart by the high pressure mixture.

Pros and Cons Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," has gained popularity over recent years, and given the controversy over this practice, new research decided to lay out some of its environmental pros as well as cons. (Photo : Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)

Pros There are enough fossil fuels “locked” in bedrock shale formations under North American soil to make the United States energy independent, and a net exporter of oil and gas, in the near future. Tapping those energy sources would make the United States less dependent, economically and politically, on unstable countries such as Venezuela and the Middle East The natural gas industry claims that fracking is safe because the shale formations lie far below the water table and pose a minimal threat to groundwater. They also claim that drilling for oil and gas is nothing new: we’ve been drilling for oil and gas for decades. natural gas releases far fewer carbon emissions than coal. Proponents describe the growing natural gas industry as an environmentally pragmatic “bridge fuel” that will buy time until we can harness the power of wind, solar and hydro on a mass scale. hundreds of jobs are tied to fracking

Cons environmentalists and private landowners worry that chemicals could reach, and poison, the groundwater. environmentalists and private landowners worry that chemicals could reach, and poison, the groundwater. Companies are not required to disclose the chemicals they use, or the formula of the mixture, in the process. That makes it difficult for local residents, or first responders, to prepare for an accident or emergency, and difficult for scientists to gauge the threat posed by the chemicals. Companies are not required to disclose the chemicals they use, or the formula of the mixture, in the process. That makes it difficult for local residents, or first responders, to prepare for an accident or emergency, and difficult for scientists to gauge the threat posed by the chemicals. millions of gallons of freshwater are removed from nearby aquifers per frack well millions of gallons of freshwater are removed from nearby aquifers per frack well Water for fracking is typically transported to well sites using heavy trucks, which turn pristine rural areas into industrial highways. Water for fracking is typically transported to well sites using heavy trucks, which turn pristine rural areas into industrial highways. fracking isc onducted day and night, causing both noise and light pollution for some nearby residents. fracking isc onducted day and night, causing both noise and light pollution for some nearby residents.

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