Frack on! Exploring the Pros of Hydraulic Fracturing

Here, I will provide the arguments that proponents of hydraulic fracturing commonly cite, and the facts behind them. I intend to provide the material in support of fracking as straight forward as possible. 

Argument: Hydraulic fracturing is better for the environment because it produces less greenhouse gas.

Fact: In fact, the combustion of natural gas does emit almost 30% less Carbon Dioxide than oil and just under 45% less Carbon Dioxide than coal. This chart of fossil fuel emissions levels, provided by the United States Energy Information Administration, is current as 2011. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Carbon Dioxide comprises 84% of greenhouse gasses, which contribute to climate change, and therefore this decrease in emissions by natural gas could be beneficial for our rapidly changing climate. 

However, there is one caveat. Though it clear that natural gas emits less Carbon Dioxide, there is some discrepancy regarding the hydraulic fracturing’s emission of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to be “twenty times as effective as Carbon Dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.” Additionally, Michael Mann, a climate scientist that directs the Earth System Science Center said, “We may be reducing our CO2 emissions, but it is possible that we’re actually increasing the greenhouse gas problem with methane emissions.” (http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/17/a-20-year-low-in-u-s-carbon-emissions/) After conducting some research in search of facts to support or disprove this claim, I found the following graph: 

  ***Enteric fermentation is the digestive process by which carbohydrates are broken down by microorganisms into simple molecules for absorption into the bloodstream of an animal***

This graph, provided by the Fifth National Communication of the United States of America under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, proves that maybe Mann is on to something. After further investigation, I found that the Environmental Protection Agency reported, “increases in emissions of methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)” in areas with natural gas development. However, the EPA also discusses their in-depth plan to reduce these pollutants, which includes amendments to regulations, the STAR program, and green completion, all of which will be thoroughly reviewed in a coming blog post. 

Fact: In 2012, the United States increased its use of natural gas to 32% of the nations energy source, and Carbon emissions have dropped to their lowest levels in 20 years, a 14% decrease since their peak. 

 

The United States Energy Administration accredits this decline in Carbon Dioxide emission to the price competition of coal and natural gas, of which natural gas is cheaper and therefore led to reduced use of coal. It is also accredited to a mild winter, as energy for heating was needed less than in previous years. You can check out the whole report here: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=10691

Argument: Fracking is good for the nations economy, as it will create jobs and drastically decrease foreign oil dependency. 

Fact: According to ISH Global Insight, a leader in economic forecasts and industry analysis, reports that with hydraulic fracturing there will be an estimated economic benefit of $1,000 per household in the United States. Additionally, their analysts estimate projected growth of 870,000 jobs in 2015 and 1.6 million by 2035. Regarding economic contribution, ISH Global Insight reports that $76 billion was generated from the hydraulic fracturing process in 2010 alone and that by 2015 an estimated $118 billion will be generated annually. They also estimate that by 2035 the fracking industry will be $231 billion. Also, according to the American Petroleum Institute hydraulic fracturing will decrease dependency on foreign oil, as sites are located here in the United States, as seen in the figure below provided by the OMB, a nonprofit agency interested in the common good and environmental concerns.