Fracking Persuasive Speech

Fracking is a process of injecting water, sand, or chemicals at a high pressure into rocks that creates cracks within these rocks which allows oil or gas to flow through. After the oil or gas flows through, it is now able to be extracted. This also releases brine, or waste, which is then pumped into injection wells. Although this process could bring millions of dollars into the oil and gas industry, it is also the number one cause of earthquakes in Texas. It also can release carcinogenic chemicals, or chemicals that aid in causing cancer. It is easy to see why this process is a hazard to societies so why is it illegal to ban fracking within city limits? Not only is Texas number one for energy production, it is also number one for support of
Geological Survey. To this day, Texas has experienced about 200 earthquakes. Not only is the number of earthquakes rising, but in 2014, Texas rose above California with their earthquake rates. Irving experienced 11 earthquakes within 24 hours. Dallas has experienced at least 40 earthquakes with some containing a magnitude of 2.7 “The rise in quakes coincides with an increase in drilling activity.” (Kuchment, Anna) It is a big possibility that fracking is causing this earthquakes. These faults that are being drilled into can only handle so much pressure before they slip, causing an earthquake. Fracking is applying even more pressures onto these faults which can easily cause earthquakes. “Researchers at the USGS and other institutions have tied earthquake surges in eight states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kansas, and Arkansas, to oil and gas operations. ...As scientists continue to study the phenomenon, they have found more reason for concern. Evidence suggests that earthquake risks can spread for miles beyond the original disposal sites, and can persist for a decade or more after drilling stops.” Fracking cause problems while it’s happening, and it causes problems and risks of earthquakes after it is