1. Hydraulic Fracturing Beau Greiner

2. Natural Gas The term “natural gas” generally refers to methane gas It is advertised as a “clean” fossil fuel The use of natural gas has been expanding in the United States since the 1950s Many of the natural gas reserves in the U.S. are locked in deposits of Shale, a sedimentary rock

3. “Fracking”: The Process Oil companies have recently expanded the use of Hydraulic Fracturing to remove the natural gas from Shale deposits The process involves pumping water, chemicals, and sand down a well, and into fissures in the rock Where can hydraulic fracturing be used? YesNoSometimes Oilx Natural Gasx Coalx Involves the use of explosive charges Millions of gallons of water per wel l

4. Pros Efficient extraction of natural gas Extends life of wells, decreasing cost of extraction Natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than oil or coal

5. Cons Chemicals from the fracking fluid can leak into environment, and contaminate ground water Millions of gallons of water are used to develop each well Fossil fuels are not sustainable, and lead to pollution of the environment http://fracfocus.org/water-protection/drilling- usage http://fracfocus.org/water-protection/drilling- usage

6. The Technology in the Future Demand for Natural Gas is expanding, and so is the use of Hydraulic Fracturing The damage that it does to the environment is difficult to assess, and varies from well to well Ultimately, more sustainable energy sources are necessary for continued consumption

7. References King, Hobart. “Hydraulic Fracturing of Oil& Gas Wells Drilled in Shale.” Geology.com. Web. 8, April, 2013. http://geology.com/articles/hydraulic-fracturing/http://geology.com/articles/hydraulic-fracturing/ “Hydraulic Fracturing Overview.” Fracfocus.org. 20 July, 2010. Web. 8 April, 2013 http://fracfocus.org/hydraulic-fracturing-how-it-works/hydraulic-fracturing-process http://fracfocus.org/hydraulic-fracturing-how-it-works/hydraulic-fracturing-process “High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing.” Watershedcouncil.org. 2013. Web. 8 April, 2013. http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/hydraulic-fracturing/ “Chemical Use in Hydraulic Fracturing.” fracfocus.org. 2013. Web. 8 April, 2013. http://fracfocus.org/water-protection/drilling-usage http://fracfocus.org/water-protection/drilling-usage U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Natural Gas.” eia.gov. 29, March, 2013. Web. 8 April, 2013. http://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n9050us2a.htmhttp://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n9050us2a.htm King, Hobart. “Uses of Natural Gas.” Geology.com. Web. 8 April, 2013. http://geology.com/articles/natural-gas-uses/ http://geology.com/articles/natural-gas-uses/