(Fracking is not a big issue here in Virginia, but it is an important piece of the energy independence that
our Governor and others want to see our nation pursue. This article is important because it shows the
opposition to energy development from “environmental” groups.)
The Sierra Club and other environmental pressure groups are redoubling their efforts to “stop
fracking in its tracks.” No wonder. The technology is an existential threat to fundamental “green”
dogmas.
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing is a true “game changer.” In less than two years, this
proven but still rapidly advancing technology has obliterated longstanding claims that we are running out
of petroleum. Instead, the USA now finds itself blessed with centuries of oil and gas.
Thankfully, much of it is on state and private lands, which cannot easily be locked up by federal
dictates.
Poland and Estonia are using it, China has invited companies to the Middle Kingdom, Britain,
Israel and Jordan are evaluating their shale deposits, and other nations are following suit – coaxing oil and
natural gas from shale and other rock formations that previously had refused to yield their hydrocarbon
riches.
By making more natural gas available, fracking has reduced the US price for this clean-burning
fuel to under $3 per thousand cubic feet (or million Btu), compared to a peak of $8 a few years ago.
Natural gas is also supplanting coal for electricity generation. Due to excessive, mostly
unnecessary new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, many US coal-fired power plants are
shutting down. Replacement plants are far more likely to be gas-powered than nuclear, especially in the
near term.
Natural gas makes heating and electricity more affordable for families, hospitals, government
buildings and businesses; feed stocks less expensive for makers of plastics, paints, fabrics and other
petrochemical products; and the prospect of natural gas-power vehicles more enticing, without mandates
or subsidies. That translates into thousands of jobs created or saved.
Companies are keeping chemical plants open that were slated to close, due to soaring prices
for oil that they now can readily replace with cheap natural gas. Shell plans to build a $2-biillion
ethane “cracking” plant near Pittsburgh – creating 10,000 construction jobs and 10,000 permanent jobs –
thanks to abundant gas from Marcellus Shale. Louisiana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas and other
states are reporting subsidy-free employment and revenue gains from shale gas development. More are
likely to follow, as companies seek new ways to capitalize on access to abundant, inexpensive, reliable
gas.
Natural gas also provides essential backup power for wind turbines. Without such backup,
electricity generation from these projects would plummet to zero 70-80% of the time, affecting assembly
lines, computers, televisions, air conditioners and other electrical equipment dozens of times every day.
Even harder for environmentalists to accept, cheap natural gas also makes it harder to justify
building redundant wind turbines that require large subsidies to generate far more expensive electricity
only 5-8 hours a day, on average, while killing large numbers of raptors, migratory birds and bats. It
makes more sense to simply build the gas turbines, and forget about the mostly useless wind turbines.
Fracking is also unlocking oil in the vast Bakken Shale formations beneath Montana, North
Dakota and Saskatchewan. Oil production there has shot from 3,000 barrels a day in 2006 to nearly
500,000 today – creating thousands of jobs … and a growing need for the Keystone XL pipeline to Texas.
Eco-activists are spreading unfounded fears about this proven technology. Their claims have
fanned borderline hysteria in some quarters and prompted Maryland, New York and other states to launch
drawn-out studies or impose moratoria that will postpone drilling and the benefits it would bring. Facts
are sorely needed.
Drilling and fracking have been carefully and effectively regulated by states for decades. As
studies by the University of Texas and various state agencies have documented, there has never been a
confirmed case of groundwater contamination due to fracking. Even EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
acknowledged that to a congressional panel.
These analysts, drilling companies and even an Environmental Defense expert now say fracking
has not played a role in any of the rare cases where methane has gotten into drinking water.
Similarly, fracking fluids fail to match the “toxic” and “cancerous” opprobrium alleged by anti-
drilling campaigns. Over 99.5% of the fluids is water and sand. The other 0.5% is chemicals to keep sand
particles suspended in the liquid, fight bacterial growth and improve gas production.
Although industrial chemicals were once used, almost all of today’s fluids are vegetable oil
and chemicals used in cheese, beer, canned fish, dairy desserts, shampoo, and other food and cosmetic
products.
EPA is nevertheless trying to invent problems and inject itself into already vigilant and responsive
state regulatory efforts. The agency has conducted a roundly criticized study in Wyoming and is conducting
water tests in Pennsylvania, where state officials view its activities as unnecessary meddling.
Additional over-reach and over-regulation would be hugely detrimental to US and global well-
being. Fracking could help create numerous jobs and provide a far more secure, affordable, dependable
and lower-pollution future than would ever be possible with wind or solar power.
Expanded oil and gas development could make North America the world’s new energy hub.
Middle East sheiks, mullahs and OPEC ministers would lose economic, political and strategic power.
Threats of Russian pipeline closures would no longer intimidate Eastern European countries.
Unfortunately, fear campaigns are preventing some of America’s poorest counties and families
from enjoying the economic benefits of Marcellus Shale development.
Baltimore’s Sage Policy Group calculated that fracking in western Maryland could reduce
energy costs, create thousands of jobs, and generate millions of dollars annually in revenue for the state
and Allegany and Garrett Counties. Similar studies in New York and elsewhere have reached similar
conclusions.
Hydraulic fracturing technologies are proven. Regulations to protect drinking water are in place
and improving steadily, as cementing and other legitimate concerns are recognized and addressed.
North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Poland and Israel are showing the way forward.
Communities that have not yet opened their doors to responsible drilling, fracking and production
need to replace anti-hydrocarbon agendas and fears with facts, optimism and science-based regulations.
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