Synthesis of “EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination”

           The article EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination is about new evidence that might link fracking to water contamination. Fracking is the process of shooting hydraulic fluids into the ground to reach pockets of natural gas and oil. Fracking is the only way to reach these pockets, and is a fairly new process.

           The environmental consequences have been under investigation since the practice first began in 1940. Researchers from the EPA are now claiming that the practice is contaminating ground water with the hydraulic fluids it uses. The ground water of a small town in Pavillion, Wyoming has been found to contain 10 different contaminants, all of which are commonly used in fracking. The companies who use fracking to obtain oil and natural gas refuse to accept liability for the contamination. Instead they say that the hydraulic process would cause the fluids to seep down, not towards the surface. They also claim that the layers of the earth create a barrier to prevent the fluids from rising back to the earth.

            Before we stop the practice fracking, we first need to consider the consequences. If we illegalize fracking, we decrease the availability of natural gas and oil. That is a direct increase on the cost of a standard living. It would be more expensive to heat and power your home. Gas prices will also increase, which hurts transportation.  You also have to fire all of the people who work in that field. All of these factors would pile up on Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet. Without a doubt there would be an increase in unemployment and the homeless. The economy it’s currently in a very poor state, raising the unemployment rate only hurts the situation. Sure the environment might be healthier if we stopped fracking, but is a healthier environment worth damaging the economy and limiting our resources?

EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination