With information from Jacob Friedman What the Frack?

What is Fracking? Hydraulic Fracturing AKA Hydrofracking High-pressure water mixed with chemicals and sand are injected into wells to extract natural gas Creates fractures in rocks that allow oil and natural gas to escape and flow out of the well. Horizontal drilling allows 16 acres* Make cracks in shale rock to free gas Gas flows to surface 70% of water returns as waste *16 acre radius is an estimate. Gas flows to the surface across a large area. This is made possible by horizontal drilling. Previously, vertical drilling was conducted underground in a much smaller area.

Advantages of Fracking Obtain oil and natural gas in places where conventional practices were ineffective or cost-prohibitive Lower energy dependency Creates jobs Stimulate local economies $2000 per US household 1.7 million jobs Rural areas get wealth Help out of recession* *Only a theory, not substantiated by facts

Advantages of Fracking Lower transportation costs/fossil fuel use Natural gas Efficient fossil fuel: 90%** Low CO2 emission Less global climate change 110 years of energy in USA 2 lifetimes? **Number may be slightly biased- found on American Gas Association website

Disadvantages of Fracking Environmental impact Definite Indefinite Social impact Corporate negligence Further environmental impact

Disadvantages of Fracking Dangerous Chemicals used and could enter the water table Toxic, radioactive, and caustic liquid waste by-products pose storage, treatment and disposal problems. No regulations or safeguards Contaminated water Air pollution Destroy streams Negative mpact on flora & fauna

Environmental Impact Land used for clearing, well pad, and storage pit 2-4 billion gallons of water 15-16,000 gallons chemicals Carcinogens, toxins, poisons (undisclosed) Radioactive elements filtered & accumulated from wastewater

Environmental Impact Dispute over methane migration Hundreds of feet below all aquifers Studies find correlation between microbial methane in aquifers & distance to well No disclosure & bias = lack of reliable studies Faulty cementing more likely *correlation, not causation

Social Impact Landowners w/o mineral rights must allow fracking access Both parties must accommodate Force pooling: 16 acres away Industrialism of rural areas Increase in heavy truck crashes in rural areas Linked to increased STDs* Landowners don’t know about fracking violations *Correlation, not causation

Corporate Negligence Wastewater filtered in licensed treatment plants Common practice: wastewater evaporation pits Not reinforced or guarded Toxic materials can spill/release harmful chemicals Faulty cement casing Cracks can lead to aquifers Not considered (by def) part of fracking

Government Interference 2004 EPA study  Bush exempts fracking from Safe Water Drinking Act No disclosure for fracking chemicals Good for business Lack of mineral rights = accommodate fracking companies Force pooling Fracking exploration in NC by Oct 2014

AMERICA In the words of George Washington: “GOD BLESS THE USA!”