Laws 310 Course Project
LAWS 310 – THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
Hydraulic Fracturing
10/12/2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Hydraulic Fracturing 2
Enivromental Issues 2
Water Contamination 2
Management of Waste Water 3
Air Quality Issues 3
Fracking Chemicals 3
State and Federal Laws 4
Federal Regulations 4
State Regulations 4
U.S. Energy Needs 5
Conclusion 5
Referrence Page 6 Hydraulic Fracturing What is hydraulic fracturing or fracking, and is it safe for our environment? What types of environmental issues are there with fracking? Are the laws in place for fracking good enough or should they be stronger? How much energy does the United States need for the future and is hydraulic fracturing the answer? These are all good questions that deserve good answers. Simply put hydraulic fracturing is taking a lot of water pressure and blasting it deep into the earth to create fractures in rock. By creating those fractures it allows oil and natural gas to seep out of the well within the rock. Technically speaking, hydraulic fracturing is drilling into the earth. Steel pipes are placed inside the well as companies drill deeper into the earth. This is done to ensure that no groundwater is contaminated during the procedure. Once the well is at the desired depth, water, sand and chemicals are forced down the well with immense pressure. Depending on the drilling site, the chemicals that are used will vary. Different sites require different chemicals. It is because of these chemicals that there are environmental issues. There are generally four major environmental issues to speak of. Water contamination, management of waste water, air quality and the chemicals used are those major issues. Water contamination may be the largest issue at hand though. Water contamination is normally done through spills and faulty well construction. This can be such a major issue because if test are not done on a regular basis people may be drinking and bathing in harmful water. “In
Hydraulic Fracturing
10/12/2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Hydraulic Fracturing 2
Enivromental Issues 2
Water Contamination 2
Management of Waste Water 3
Air Quality Issues 3
Fracking Chemicals 3
State and Federal Laws 4
Federal Regulations 4
State Regulations 4
U.S. Energy Needs 5
Conclusion 5
Referrence Page 6 Hydraulic Fracturing What is hydraulic fracturing or fracking, and is it safe for our environment? What types of environmental issues are there with fracking? Are the laws in place for fracking good enough or should they be stronger? How much energy does the United States need for the future and is hydraulic fracturing the answer? These are all good questions that deserve good answers. Simply put hydraulic fracturing is taking a lot of water pressure and blasting it deep into the earth to create fractures in rock. By creating those fractures it allows oil and natural gas to seep out of the well within the rock. Technically speaking, hydraulic fracturing is drilling into the earth. Steel pipes are placed inside the well as companies drill deeper into the earth. This is done to ensure that no groundwater is contaminated during the procedure. Once the well is at the desired depth, water, sand and chemicals are forced down the well with immense pressure. Depending on the drilling site, the chemicals that are used will vary. Different sites require different chemicals. It is because of these chemicals that there are environmental issues. There are generally four major environmental issues to speak of. Water contamination, management of waste water, air quality and the chemicals used are those major issues. Water contamination may be the largest issue at hand though. Water contamination is normally done through spills and faulty well construction. This can be such a major issue because if test are not done on a regular basis people may be drinking and bathing in harmful water. “In
References: Reece, S., & O 'Day, J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.oilgasmonitor.com/top-environmental-concerns-fracking/1557/ (Reece & O 'Day) Dibble, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing (Dibble) Unk. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2012/12/05/2013-annual-energy-outlook-hydraulic-fracturing-key-to-u-s-energy-future/ (Unk) (n.d.). Retrieved from http://fracfocus.org/hydraulic-fracturing-how-it-works/history-hydraulic-fracturing (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.energyfromshale.org/hydraulic-fracturing/what-is-fracking