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Fracking should be banned. Engineering Assignment.
Essay Instructions:
I had originally chose to argue that the use of fracking is necessary for the United States economy but as I was doing research I soon learned the cons outweigh the pros by a long shot. I could no longer stand behind my original thesis because it contradicts my morals. In this essay I'd appreciate it if you included arguments that protest against the destruction of the environment, atmosphere, and of course us human beings. My final draft is due by Monday and I had just recently decided to make a 180 degree turn on my thesis. Thank you very much.
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Why should the United States Ban fracking?
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March 30, 2020
In the late 1940s, the idea of fracking has made big news in the United States. Even during its inception, both the State and other private corporations have set their eyes in using fracking as an alternative source of non-renewable fuels to support the country’s increasing demand for fossil fuels. Several administrations have visualized this process as a means of realizing America’s vision of an “energy independent” country that has a positive net export when it comes to fuel. Nevertheless, several studies have shown that fracking, in its current State today, poses more risks than advantages than other sources of energy. To understand this, this article would initially provide an overview of the fracking process. Subsequently, it would then weigh the risks and benefits of the fracking process, taking into consideration how it affects the environment and the people. All in all, I believe that fracking should be banned due to the great danger than it poses to the environment and the people, as compared to other sources of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Overview of the Process
Generally speaking, fracking is conducted by mixing two technological processes, namely (1) horizontal drilling and (2) hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking.’ Initially, the process is commenced similarly with other methods of extracting fossil fuels, that is, by drilling vertically. During this early phase, concrete and other materials are placed in the lining of the well in order to ensure that the gas and other toxic materials would not leak into the surrounding waters CITATION Lal18 \l 1033 (Lallanilla, 2018). Upon reaching a depth of around 1 to 2 miles underneath, horizontal drilling is then commenced, which can extend for about 1 mile from the “vertical wellbore.” What makes this process different from the initial phase was the fact that in horizontal drilling, no cement is placed in the lining of the well in order to maximize absorption of gas and fuel that will be collected at a later phase.
After securing the well for gas extraction, the next phase involves breaking the rocks by creating a series of fractures along the horizontal bore well. During this process, fracking fluid (also called ‘slickwater’) is pumped with extremely high pressures throughout the whole horizontal bore well in order to create the fractures which are necessary for fuel flow and extraction. This increases the danger, especially considering that a variety of ‘additives,’ such as “detergents, salts, acids, alcohols, lubricants, and disinfectants,” are added in order further to improve the results CITATION Lal18 \l 1033 (Lallanilla, 2018).
Lastly, before starting to extract gas and fuel, flow back water should still be collected, treated, and stored in a safe facility. Flowback water is highly toxic, and due to the extreme pressures of hydraulic fracking, it can result in a leak to the surrounding areas of the horizontal bore well.
Advantages of Fracking
Economically speaking, fracking has many advantages for the U.S. Economy by decreasing gas prices, increasing job opportunities, and improving energy independence of the United States. In an article written by Dews (2015), the U.S. Fracking revolution in 2013 had led to an overall decrease in fuel prices by around 47% as compared to the prior decades when fracking was not yet widespread. As for household gas prices, the same studies have shown that the fracking revolution has led to about 200 USD annual savings per household.
From the economic point of view, the benefits of the fracking revolution can also be said as one of the things that have improved both the U.S. economy and its local economies as of today. According to IHS Global Insight (2012), the U.S. fracking revolution has contributed to an overall increase of “added $284 billion to U.S. GDP in 2012 (1.7%) and $462 billion in 2013 (2.8%)”. On the other hand, studies also show that fracked communities have experienced significant economic gains, which amounts to an increase in “total income (3.3%-6.1%), employment (3.7%-5.5%), salaries (5.4%-11%), and housing prices (5.7%)” CITATION Fle19 \l 1033 (Fleisher, 2019).
Lastly, fracking is also believed to have made the United States one step closer to its dream of being an energy-independent nation from other countries such as the Middle East. Before the fracking revolution, the U.S. government has always been plagued with threats from Middle East Regimes that used their superior fuel production and the United States’ significant dependence from such as leverage for their demands. The volatile situation in these regions has led to the U.S. constantly revisiting its foreign policies and worrying about the potential outcomes, which is one of the reasons why it spends plenty of resources for stabilizing situations in the region CITATION Han17 \l 1033 (Hanson, 2017). Even though the current fuel production of the United States has yet to become an independent fuel resource, studies have shown that has significantly led to a buffering of fuel fluctuations and an increase of the country’s fuel sufficiency.
Disadvantages of Fracking
Similar to other fuel resources, fracking poses considerable risks to people, the environment, as well as the distribution of wealth of the United States.
First, when it comes to health, several studies conducted have shown that fracking causes several chronic and acute diseases, especially to the people who are living near the vicinity of the fracking sites. It was stated earlier that fracking involves the use of huge volumes of toxic substances called additives. Some of the additives that are used include “detergents, salts, acids, alcohols, lubricants and disinfectants” CITATION Lal18 \l 1033 (Lallanilla, 2018). In addition to this, the subsequent processes of the drilling require the use and extraction of highly toxic materials such as proppants and slickwater, which are dangerous if consumed by animals and humans. However, due to the complexity of the fracking procedure and the open spaces of the horizontal bore well, contamination of underground water is possible. For example, in an article written by Harrabin (2016), he noted that several studies have shown that several areas in the United States have noted an elevated level of carcinogen benzene, which can cause Acute Myeloid Leukemia, among others. Accordingly, Stone (2017) noted that among 700 health-related studies that look into the adverse effects of fracking, about 80% of such reports that the process could lead to both acute and chronic diseases that include, respiratory problems, noise, stress, and sleep deprivation, accidents, and even pregnancy problems, among others. These results are worrying, especially because several studies have shown that underground water contamination is highly likely even when fracking is done with great care CITATION Nat13 \l 1033 (NationalGeographic.com, 2013).
Second, it must be noted that fracking causes great and irreparabl...
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