Fracking Part 2

Arman Vranka 5/20/14

Core Earth Science  C Block Even

Sider, Alison. "Energy Companies Try New Methods to Address Fracking Complaints." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Web. 20 May 2014. <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304831304579544092287190238?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304831304579544092287190238.html>.

The topic my article discussed was fracking, and how big oil companies who have received criticism in the past for harming the environment are trying to rethink their fracking process so they can clean up fracking’s reputation as detrimental to nature. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is the process of blasting shale and other underground rocks with water, sand and chemicals to obtain natural gas that is trapped inside. This fuel source is relatively new (only the last decade or so), and it is still being developed. That being said, it has already supplied the United States with millions of gallons of oil, and it is slowly freeing the United States from it’s energy dependence on the Middle East, especially countries like Iraq and Iran. The main point this article discusses is how there is a lot of chemical waste produced by fracking, and it usually isn’t managed well. Now, with concern rising from environmentalists, fracking companies are trying to deal with their pollutants better. The main things they have focused on are reusing wastewater, cutting down methane seepage and using leftover gas to power rigs instead of burning it as waste. The gas is usually burned because there isn’t enough pipeline to get it to a market, and it is easier to get rid of it. But this is a waste, and it’s hurting the environment. The wastewater is filled with chemicals and impurities, but it is usually dumped into rivers or lakes. A popular option was to bury the wastewater deep in the Earth, but evidence has possibly linked this to earthquakes. This has created serious ecological problems for wildlife in the area, and frackers are being urged to dispose of their water in a clean way or recycle it for further use. And methane is seeping from pipes which is poisoning the atmosphere. New regulations are being implemented in the near future to require companies use tanks to capture the methane. In fact, rigs in Wyoming have already lowed methane output by 80% in four years. If these changes are implemented widely, then fracking will be much less harmful to the environment.

This is relevant to our society for a variety of reasons. One, if there is a legitimate natural problem that is the result of fracking, it should be stopped immediately. There is clear evidence that supports the claims that fracking has poisoned the environment with chemicals and caused geological problems such as earthquakes. If it hurting the planet, it should be stopped. On the other hand, fracking has made the United States energy dependent, which is unheard of. This means we don’t have to rely on the Middle East as much as we used to. And fracking has also created thousands of new jobs, from oil rig workers to water decontamination workers. Its financial and geopolitical impact impact is massive for the United States, but at the same time it’s detrimental effects on the environment are also huge.

I believe this is a very strong article that has a lot of good information. The Wall Street Journal, is clearly a very credible source, and it cites multiple other credible sources too. There are also a lot of good facts and numbers. But the most important things is how the article flowed nicely, and it was clear and concise with it’s meaning. It stated the facts well, and it did a good job of summarizing how and why oil companies are trying to make fracking cleaner. I don’t really have any criticism for this article because it was just so well written, unbiased and concise.