The Fracking Issue - Article Example

The Fracking Issue Introduction The concerns surrounding fracking have provoked debate as a number of nations adopt the technology or anticipate doing so. In America, where fracking was originally developed and has been extensively deployed, some people have called for stricter oversight of the state. However, some people argue that the central government is better situated to rein in potential hazards. Other countries are eyeing fracking as a means of accessing shale hydrocarbons. However, the countries face opposition from the public mainly in areas that expect to bear the fracking effect. Analyze the consequences of fracking in Colorado According to McKenzie, et al. (2014), technological advances in fracking have resulted in a global boom of fracking and natural gas reserves production. The process of fracking results in the potential worker and exposure of the community to numerous stressors of the environment. It is increasingly common for fracking processes to encroach on populated regions, potentially exposing more residents to emissions of water and air. Residents are also exposed to noise and changes of the community level that may arise because of industrialization. According to studies in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, fracking results in the emission of sulfur dioxide, PAHs and VOCs (McKenzie, et al., 2014). Some of the pollutants are suspected teratogens, which are known to cross the placenta. This raises the possibility of exposure to the fetus to these pollutants that result in major birth defects. Some of this includes spina bifida and neural crest malformations. Unconventional activity of gas and oil raises concerns at multiple scales and in a different policy dimension. The unconventional activity comprises the combined use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques to extract resources that were previously inaccessible (Lin, 2014). Fracking generates hazards of the local environment, which includes contamination of water, pollution of the air and spilling of chemicals. The risks extend past the local vicinity, and the cumulative impacts of numerous wells may be regionally momentous. Moreover, fracking concerns are not limited to conventional pollution. Fracking also implicates other concerns of the environment; most remarkably is climate change. There are also long-term implications for fracking such as energy systems and fossil fuel reliance (Lin, 2014). As stated by Minor (2014), Fracking generates momentous problems of air pollution from hydrocarbon emissions throughout the process of production. The problem occurs specifically during completion. Many researchers have documented that development of oil and gas can create a momentous pollution of the ozone layer in rural regions. Furthermore, it can exacerbate ozone pollution in urbanized areas like the Front Range of Colorado. Operations of fracking produce various known and likely carcinogens which according to officials increases cancer and other health risks. Fracking also releases methane. Methane, a greenhouse is 105 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Its harmful rates may eradicate the benefits of climates that natural gas has over coal. In addition, fracking can pollute the groundwater and surface water through numerous pathways. The primary channel is through spills. For instance, in 2011 alone, Colorado had reported cases of 513 spills; 26% of the spills contaminated either surface water or ground water. In addition, fracking wastewater can also enter surface flows via unlined or poorly lined waste ponds (Minor, 2014). However, fracking has its benefits too. For instance, fracking is driving an economic boom (Jackson et al., 2014). The unconventional gas is a source of income and if done well, can reduce pollution of the air and even water use compared with other fossil fuel. In addition, the switch from coal to unconventional gas for the generation of electricity reduces sulfur, mercury and nitrogen and air pollution of particles. In addition, any well that is drilled into the earth creates a potential pathway for gasses and liquids trapped beneath the ground to reach the earths surface (Jackson et al., 2014). Analyze the actions of fracking: consider all the options from different ethical perspectives According to Nano (2013), natural gas is a resource that is highly resourceful and plentiful in the US. The ethical quandary lies in the issue of devising a way of attaining the versatile resource while minimizing alterations of the environment. Global warming is a matter that is pressing, and its adverse effects have been experienced globally. Adding more productions of greenhouse gas through the harmful process of fracking is ethically unfair. The fracking fluid can travel through the ground before it can be recollected, after being deployed. The groundwater that may be used as drinking water can be polluted if the fracking fluid moves far enough. Bound by numerous moral codes, experts are obliged to derive a solution to the issue that touches on ethics. In whatever they do, engineering experts must put the interest of the public in their minds’ forefront. The chemical engineers must listen to their coworkers and employers unless they observe unethical activity (Nano, 2013). Based on the dependence of the public on natural gas, the experts have a concrete reason to frack for natural gas. This is due to the value of natural gas, desirable fuel means for most Americans (Nano, 2013). Nonetheless, it is just not sufficient to frack and extracts natural gas. The experts can meet the need of the public by obtaining natural gas. This can happen if they preserve the environment in the process. The quandary remains to devise a fracking process that does not harm the environment and still returns a natural gas wealth. At the state level, fracking has a number of financial, social, and economic benefits. For example, in the fiscal year 2012, total federal revenues from all oil and gas operations onshore and offshore was ten billion dollars. Additionally, fracking benefits numerous institutions of higher education. Conflict between the principles or rights of the different people involved in fracking Fracking practice has become a subject of focus of policy makers. The state and local fracking regulations have created a confusing web for the industry to navigate. The process has resulted in an unhealthy battle between the community, supported by independent medical and scientific experts and a government and industry alliance. Additionally, entities of the government often fight each other for the right to regulate fracking. Thus, the extensive and fast fracking growth has aggravated confusion over who has the right to regulate fracking. Furthermore, the courts have failed to use sensible principles to resolve inconsistencies among the federal government, local regulations, and the surrounding community (Pratt, 2014). What decisions would you make and why? The state should regulate fracking, and their authority to do so should be protected. This is because the state has more resources than the other parties interested. For instance, the state can consult fracking experts on the risks of a fracking practice because uncertainty of regulation is a serious issue for companies that frack. The fracking experts need to drive making decisions and not the whims of the fearful local populace. The experts can propagate comprehensive safety regulations Conclusion Energy industries are flocking to the reserves of natural gas to extract what they can obtain. It is imperious that every measure is taken to make sure that fracking does not inflict any damage to the public, as well as the environment. The effects of fracking can significantly be reduced if green completion is utilized correctly. Additionally, water for drinking can remain uncontaminated by careful deliberation during the designing, operating and natural gas wells closing. Most significantly, the dedication of the chemical engineers to the ethical codes of engineering is necessary to maintain fracking integrity since ethical protocol is vital. Courts should also implement administrative principles. The courts will enhance better regulations, increased certainty, and choices that will be based on expert assessments of developing facts upon applying these principles. References Del Nano, J. (2013). Hydraulic Fracking: an Ethical perspective. Retrieved from http://www.pitt.edu/~jcd60/WA3.pdf Jackson, R. B., Vengosh, A., Carey, J. W., Davies, R. J., Darrah, T. H., OSullivan, F., & Pétron, G. (2014). The environmental costs and benefits of fracking. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 39, 327-362. Lin, A. C. (2014). Fracking and Federalism: a comparative approach to reconciling national and subnational interests in the United States and Spain. Envtl. l., 44, 1039-1219. McKenzie, L. M., Guo, R., Witter, R. Z., Savitz, D. A., Newman, L. S., & Adgate, J. L. (2014). Birth outcomes and maternal residential proximity to natural gas development in rural Colorado. Environ Health Perspective, 122(4), 412-7. Minor, J. (2014). Local Government Fracking Regulation: A Colorado Case Study. Retrieved from https://journals.law.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/stanford-environmental-law- journal-selj/print/2014/01/h_minor_article_-_web_0.pdf Pratt, J. M. (2014). Applying Administrative Law Principles to Hydraulic Fracturing. Retrieved from:http://repository.law.umich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=mlr_fi Srebotnjak, T., & Rotkin-Ellman, M. (2014). Drilling in California: Whos at Risk? National Resources Defense Council. 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