Activity 4.2.1 – Applying My Environmental Policy Frameworks.

Problem Statement 

 Hydrofracking has been used for decades in the United States. However, recently, new and different method have been used to extract deeper deposit of gas or oil.  This new system work injecting sand, water and other chemicals at high pressure into rocks. There are many potential dangers associated to hydrofracking. First, the gas storage underground is very closed to source of drinking water. So, the chemicals used during fracking might contaminated the water we drink causing health problems like cancer (Cohen,2014). Also, hydrofracking release methane during the process. Methane gas might end up in the water as well and make it unsafe to drink. Moreover, the methane gas that does not go into the water, it is released into the atmosphere.  

 Ethic

There are many theories about environmental ethic and people have different idea about how important the environment is and why. In this assignment, I will talk about only one of the existing environmental theory that is called “Deep Ecology”. According to the Deep Ecology theory or movement, nature has an intrinsic value. More precisely, humans, animal non-humans and their biotic and a-biotic environment are valuable as totality. So, according to this theory, it is the entire system of relationship between those elements that matter (Næss, 1989). Environmental Ethic oppose to the idea that everything in the universe has been created for man and his needs, so that man is the center of the universe and can consider himself the measure of all things. Ethic like the Deep Ecology contrast the idea of man as measure of all things. Instead, they consider nature as something valuable per se. When something is valuable and has an intrinsic value, it means that that element needs to be protected independently from the advantage we can get from it.  

  

Risk 

Hydrofracking is the practice of extracting natural gas or oil from geological shale rock formations” (Cohen, 2014). During this process, drilling operators force water, sand, and a mix of chemicals into horizontally drilled wells, causing the shale to crack and release natural gas or oil. Although research is underway, few studies have provided conclusive evidence about how unconventional natural gas development affects nearby communities. However, citizens as well as environmental advocates, and some researchers have expressed concerns about potential effects on water, air, and communities (NIH, 2017). If chemicals used during hydrofracking reach the underground drinking water source, the water is not only dangerous for human, but a possible danger for the environment as well since water is an essential element for every life form on earth. Also, the process of hydrofracking involve combustion so it can release toxic chemicals into the air affecting air quality. Moreover, hydrofracking release a greenhouse gas called methane. So, hydrofracking contributes to climate change and the raise of hearth temperature. In fact, “In 2017, methane (CH4) accounted for about 10.2 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities” (EPA,2019). 

 Technological 

Hydraulic fracturing involves cracking rock formations by pumping fluid into wells at high pressure, forcing oil or gas out of the rock. The fluid that is pumped into the well to fracture the rock is called slickwater. It is mostly water, though it also can contain a wide range of additives and chemicals that serve an engineering purpose.  Hydrofracking is not 100% clean and safe for the environment and for human health. However, many are the solution that present technology offers make hydrofracking safer. The first option is to use less water during the fracking process. Traditional fracking systems use large amounts of water, therefore using water-free fracking systems can save a lot of water. It is also possible to use recycled water for hydrofracking in order to “conserves freshwater as well as reduces the water pollution” (OSU, n.d.). Also, “replacing diesel-powered equipment with engines that use natural gas or solar panels will reduce the large amount of harmful gases emitted and lower the overall damage to the environment” (OSU, n.d.). Furthermore, it is also possible clean the wastewater produced by hydrofracking in order to prevent the contamination of underground water with chemicals. Moreover, it is possible to reduce methane leaks. “There are two improvements that can reduce methane leaks, one of them is using infrared camera that can detect leaks at fracking sites. The other improvement is replacing traditional pressure-monitoring pneumatic controllers to lower-bleed designs.” (OSU, n.d) 

Economical  

Hydrofracking is a valuable source of energy and profit for the country. “Energy Information Agency (EIA) estimated that there are 482 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of shale gas potential in the United States (Urbina 2012). At the current natural consumption rate of 25.46 tcf of natural gas per year, this could fuel the United States for close to two decades” (Cohen, 2014). Natural gas it also a bridge” or “transition” fuel since it is not a fossil fuel and it is relatively cleaner that other fossil fuel type of energy. Natural gas it also less expensive to develop compared to other cleaner form of energy so it has an advantage over other renewable energy sources. Also, “natural gas currently produces electricity at nearly the same retail cost per kilowatt-hour as coal, while still being less expensive than nuclear, solar, or wind power” (Cohen,2014). Consequently, natural gas is a relatively inexpensive way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution. Furthermore, hydrofracking can be beneficial for the local community. For example, a drilling operation can increase local employment rates. (NIH, 2017) 

Legal and Political Actions  

In United State, there are not federal law regarding hydrofracking. There are different laws that protect safe water, air, the environment and public health. However, hydrofracking companies are usually exempted to respect them. They are exempted from “Safe Drinking Water Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; and the National Environmental Policy Act” so “hydrofracking companies no longer had to meet the strict air and water regulations that protect the environment” (Cohen, 2014). At the present time, hydrofracking is only regulated by state and local law and regulation. In Texas, hydrofracking companies are required to list the volume of water and chemicals used in the fracking process. However, this requirement is not retroactive and fracking companies are required to share their fracking chemicals only after the job is done. Hydrofracking require a stricter local and States regulation as well as well-developed federal laws that assure a cleaner and safe hydrofracking. 

Bibliography  

Cohen, (2014), Fracking – Why is hydrofracking contentious?, Columbia University press 

EPA, (2019), Overview of Greenhouse Gases., Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#methane. 

Næss A. (1989), Ecology, community and lifestyle: outline of an ecosophy, Cambridge University Press 

NIH (2017), Hydraulic Fracturing & 

Health., National Insitute of Environmental Health Science,  https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/fracking/index.cfm. 

Ohio State University. (n.d.), 5 Technologies and Methods that can make Fracking Cleaner, https://u.osu.edu/engr2367publicdocument3/alternatives-to-fracking/new-methods-to-fracking/.