Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Implications of These Fracking Practices
Through the analysis posting, we can see the seriousness of the natural gas and fracking issue throughout the United States. There are indeed ways to solve this issue; new biofuel like algae is a possibility (which we explored in the Theory post two days ago). However, what if natural gas drilling and the employment of fracking doesn't subside or harsher regulations weren't implemented? The EPA is requesting a list of fracking chemicals from each of the major gas drilling companies; however, the companies are putting up quite a fight. If the big gas companies end up winning the standoff with the EPA and evade regulations by the government it could result in many negative impacts. The environment is the first factor that would be harmed; in the Midwest the land is extremely venerable to contamination and desertification due to these chemicals. If the government can't properly test and regulate these practices and we blindly put all of our trust into these companies, the environment could be harmed beyond repair before we know what we’re doing wrong. Without regulation, our environment is in a great deal of harm and potential destruction. Not only could our land become infertile, much our drinking water could become contaminated and undrinkable as well. This is already happening in many areas of the Midwest and with drilling beginning on the Marcellus Shale in the Northeast there is a possibility more drinking water could be contaminated. Overall, if these practices aren’t regulated or stopped all together the consequences could be destructive.
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It is slightly scary to imagine huge water sources being contaminated. It would seem that since fracking has such a huge risk associated with it, the government would automatically step in to regulate. I mean if one company could impact an entire region, someone has to be overseeing that everything is done properly and safely. The thought that these companies are running with little to no inspection is almost mindboggling. When you look back at history, people often do what cheapest, easiest, and more effective; often times this is more risky, hazardous, and destructive. I cannot help but feel as if history may be repeating itself. If the companies were not under a watchful eye, the only thing stopping them from using illegal chemicals is their conscious. Normally their conscious should kick in and say that this could hurt not only the environment but many people as well. However, I feel as though if there is a huge monetary difference between the cost of the illegal materials and the legal ones, these companies would hold little reservation about using the illegal materials, which directly would affect us. We the people would feel the harmful effects and live with the aftermath of the companies choices.
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