What the Frack is Going On?

Trump and Biden have made their points on fracking, and I am unhappy. I may be from Pennsylvania, but I will never support fracking.

What is fracking? Fracking is a form of natural gas drilling that uses a water based fluid to crack open the earth and collect the gas to be used for energy. My favorite way to explain fracking to people is to show them this video that my AP Environmental Science teacher showed us and then to suggest they watch the documentary Gasland, which is what sparked my absolute hatred for fracking. Natural gas is currently cheaper monetarily than coal and may be for some time, but the cost on the environment and communities close to fracking sites.

Fracking fluid contains much more than just water. Known toxins and carcinogens are used in the fluid, as well as chemicals unstudied as to their affects on humans and the environment. Among this list of over 200 known toxins and over 1,000 chemical additives is benzyne, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and arsenic.

This fluid is pumped into the ground to create fissures to release the gas. Along with the minor earthquakes this action can cause, chemicals from this fluid have been found in groundwater near fracking sites. For people who use this water, this has been a cause of major concern. Multiple people with groundwater polluted from fracking operations have been able to light their tap and drinking water on fire. In the Gasland documentary, there is a man whose water forms plastic when near a flame.

Concerns are also raised about air pollution in areas with fracking. Fracking can release a lot of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that does not persist as long as carbon dioxide but can cause the same or more damage to the atmosphere.

States like New York and Maryland have made the decision to ban fracking, and I believe the nation should make the same decision. Everyone should have the guarantee of clean drinking water. The myth that fracking is a more environmentally friendly option than coal is incorrect and the jobs it creates are for people who will ultimately pay in their health, their families health, and their community's health. The technology to switch to green energy does exist, as proved by this bike lane with a solar panel roof.

Vote for Biden and Harris, but demand they do better when it comes to stopping fracking.

Still from Gasland of a man lighting his tap water on fire.