Pros And Cons: Hydraulic Fracking

Hook: Hydraulic fracking is a major source of energy with many economic benefits, however the environmental consequences it brings is very controversial.

Hydraulic fracking is a process in which water and other chemical additives are pumped through a drill underground to fracture shale formations to extract natural gas. This natural gas can be used as energy for houses heating fuel, propane, and other energy consuming products. However, the downsides of fracking can cause environmental harm such as methane emissions that contribute to global warming and water contamination.

State why the main idea is important–tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon. The opportunity cost companies make to invest in fracking instead of safer alternatives of energy production will only meet

a diminishing rate of return in the end. Fracking can cause local communities, as well as the environment, to have long-term effects that will take years to recover from.
State your thesis/claim - Fracking violates the Doctrine of Public Trust because it harms local communities alongside the environment without regards to the people.
II Claim – Hydraulic fracking contaminates local communities water systems and the government is doing little to nothing to protect the communities that are being affected by this negative externality.

*Reason: During the extraction of natural gas from shale formations, toxic chemicals are used in the process.
*evidential support: “Chemical additives are used in the drilling mud, slurries and fluids required for the fracking process. Each well produces millions of gallons of toxic fluid...” (Hoffman) Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking in the Williston Basin, Montana." Case Studies. N.p., 21 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
*evidential support: In addition, storage of waste water in many states have inadequate policies to protect the environment in case of a leakage in faulty cement well casings. Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking in the Williston Basin, Montana." Case Studies. N.p., 21 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

*Analysis: Leakage from fractures during hydraulic fracking or faulty cement well casings can cause wastewater to enter aquifers, contaminating water sources for local communities. The toxic fluid produced from fracking wells contain methanol, which can cause blindness and nerve damage if sufficient amounts are consumed by the human body.
*Reason:The public is vulnerable to many more diseases from hydraulic fracking because not all of the chemicals used during the process is disclosed.
*evidential support: “The companies involved cannot be trusted, and roughly one in five chemicals involved in the fracking process are still classified as trade secrets. Even well-meaning disclosure efforts such as FracFocus.org do not provide sufficient information. And we know that there are many who cut corners out in the field, no matter the federal or state regulations we try to impose.” (Wihbey)
Wihbey, John.

"Pros and Cons of Fracking: 5 Key Issues." Yale Climate Connections. N.p., 12 Apr. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

*evidential support: Of the 692 unique ingredients used in fracking, oil and gas companies refuse to disclose an extra ten percent of the chemicals used. News, Neela Banerjee InsideClimate, Marianne Lavelle, David Hasemyer, Sabrina Shankman, Georgina Gustin, Neela Banerjee, Zahra Hirji, and Nicholas Kusnetz. "Fracking Companies Keep 10% of Chemicals Secret, EPA Says." Inside Climate News. N.p., 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

*Analysis: Without proper regulations and safety measures and management of hydraulic fracturing wells, the safety of our local communities can not be guaranteed, endangering many lives in the process of short-term economic gain. Communities should have the right to know what dangers fracking possesses and be protected against them. The chemicals that are classified as trade secrets can cause major health issues if exposed to during a long period of time. In result, these health issues can not be treated as quickly or be

prevented.

*Counterargument Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
Nonetheless, some may argue hydrofracking companies with well-run drilling infrastructures will rarely create cracks in shallow aquifers.

*Rebuttal with Analysis Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
That point is somewhat true, however there have been several reports of fracking well blowouts leading to the leaking of many gallons of fracking fluids. The economic benefits do not outweigh the possible hazardous danger fracking has on the environment.

III. Claim– Hydraulic fracking emits harmful pollutants into the air affecting the environment and communities.

*Reason: Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is leaked during the extraction process for natural gas.
*evidential support:As technology advances for fracking so that more natural gas can be extracted, more methane is released into the atmosphere. When methane burns, carbon dioxide another major greenhouse gas is released, contributing to the increase in global warming. (Brantley, Susan L., and Anna Meyendorff. "The Facts on Fracking." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*evidential support: “Methane is 86 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas on 20-year timescales, and 34 times more powerful on 100-year timescales.” (News, Lisa Song InsideClimate, Marianne Lavelle, David Hasemyer, Sabrina Shankman, Georgina Gustin, Lisa Song and Katherine Bagley, Katherine Bagley and Lisa Song, Lisa Song, Zahra Hirji, and Nicholas Kusnetz. "Texas Fracking Zone Emits 90% More Methane Than EPA Estimated." Inside Climate News. N.p., 7 Dec. 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*Analysis (two sentences): Although fracking is a better alternative in terms of carbon emissions, leaks of methane can undermine this advantage and further increase global warming. Heating purposes from fracking will lead to the supply chain of natural gas prices to decrease, encouraging more energy use but no incentives in investing in renewable energy sources. The tragedy of the commons will occur with fracking companies because their self interest in earning more income will lead to overcompetition.

*Reason: Other air contaminants from fracking such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide can create smog leading to several health issues to surrounding communities.
*evidential support: When gas is burned such as methane, it reacts with other chemicals creating particulate pollution which can harm the lungs, respiratory system, and can lead to premature death. ("Air Pollution." Catskill Mountainkeeper. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*evidential support: “... nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from oil and gas drilling in the west, projects Montana to experience a 310% increase in nitrogen oxide pollution” (Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking in the Williston Basin, Montana." Case Studies. N.p., 21 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*Analysis : During the process of fracking, many toxic air contaminants can create smog which can cause central nervous system damage, respiratory illness, and many more. Health protective regulations offer insufficient protection because there is a lack of scientific data on the potential damage of these emissions.
*Counterargument Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
However, some may argue that technological advancements are being made to combat leakage problems, therefore methane emissions will be reduced.

*Rebuttal with Quote Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
While that may be the case, as of now, the lack of regulations in the fracking industry have been causing considerable environmental damage. Signs of natural gas prices decreasing is proof of the contribution fracking has on global warming.

IV Claim – Fracking is not a safe process in which it produces seismic activity that can be harmful to major populaces.

*Reason: Fluid injection and extraction during fracking have a correlation with an increase in seismic activity.
*evidential support: “This water is typically injected back under high pressure into disposal wells -- a practice that the geological agency has said can induce earthquakes.” (Fountain, Henry. "In Canada, a Direct Link Between Fracking and Earthquakes." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Nov. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.)
*evidential support: “Man-made earthquakes are primarily the result of wastewater injection, a process where the liquid byproduct of fracking is disposed of deep underground.” (Worland, Justin. "Man-Made Earthquakes Associated With Fracking Will Continue." Time. Time, 1 Mar. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*Analysis : Fracking's effect on seismology causes many unknown changes, thus the increase in fracking of oil and gas wells should be a slow process instead of figuring out the weight of our consequences later on. With the limited data present, it is wise not to frack because unpreventable events may occur.

*Reason: States have become hazards from induced earthquakes from hydraulic fracking.
*evidential support “While almost all of the fracking-induced or triggered earthquakes are small...enough are above 3 that the USGS predicted a 5% to 17% chance of significant damage to homes and structures in just the year 2016 for areas of north-central Oklahoma and southern Kansas where fracking occurs.” (Conca, James. "Thanks To Fracking, Earthquake Hazards In Parts Of Oklahoma Now Comparable To California." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 08 Sept. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.)
*evidential support: “Despite reassurances that the correct procedures are now in place with proper legislation, that a drive to obtain those deposits may lead to a horrific accident - in large urban population centres, this has the potential for catastrophe.” (Mason, Matthew. “Fracking: What Is It and How Will It Affect You?”EnvironmentalScience.org, www.environmentalscience.org/fracking-what-how-affect-you. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.)

*Analysis (two sentences): The correlation between fracking and earthquakes is a cause for concern because most of the large deposits of shale gas are in populated areas. The potential threat fracking has on millions of civilians can be negated by ending fracking of oil and gas wells.

*Counterargument Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
A common counterpoint is that there has been very small occurrences of severe earthquakes caused by fracking even when thousands of wells have been drilled.

*Rebuttal with Quote Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
However, that point is not important because injecting pressurized fluids back underground can migrate to fault zones causing major earthquakes.

V. Conclusion Sentence Starters
CHOOSE ONE:
It is essential to recognize that hydraulic fracturing violates the doctrine of public trust because the public is not properly protected from air pollution, water contamination, and risk of seismic activity due to obtaining natural gas. The lives of many people will be involved if the lack of proper regulations and limitations persists. With the technology as it is now, hydraulic fracturing is very unsustainable to the environment and the local community.