The practice of using hydraulic fracturing is interesting from several perspectives. The process has moved the U.S. closer to energy independence, has resulted in reductions of carbon dioxide emissions, and has upset fans of alternative energy. They are upset because the cost of energy produced by fracking is much less than the cost of solar and wind despite their government subsidies. Those who prefer to not use any hydrocarbon-based energy are searching for any reason to stop the successful process of producing the fuel some of us prefer in order to comfortably live our current life styles.

There is a wonderful Popular Mechanics article that realistically examines the several negatives of fracking. I recommend reading the entire article. The bottom line is that the petrochemical industry has found a way to use high pressure, chemically-treated water to crack shale deep within the earth to allow extraction of natural gas. The most important result is that there has been a huge increase in the production of natural gas. The production of less expensive and “cleaner” energy has been a boon to energy consumers and the environment.

There are negatives to be considered. One is that the process uses lots of water, and the wells are often in areas where water is scarce. Contamination of drinking water sources is one area of concern. The only proven water contamination has come from surface spills and well blowouts. The EPA is investigating one possibility of ground water contamination from a fracturing operation.

There was a recent National Geographic article by Edwin Dobb about the Bakken area in North Dakota. The article focuses on a woman who drives a truck that hauls the waste water from the drilling sites to a disposal well. The work is difficult, loud, smelly, and dirty. There is a side angle to the story about the woman who works in what she calls the “testosterone cloud.”  The upside is that she needed a job and accepts the difficulties to collect a nice paycheck.

The Denver post had an article titled “Fracking beneath the gold dome” by Lloyd Burton. It points out that the gold done on the state Capitol is a reminder of Colorado’s mining heritage that financed the growth of the state. Now we prefer not to have mines or drill rigs near us. Congress passed a law in 2005 that mostly exempts hydraulic fracturing operations from the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Air Act. As Mr. Burton explains it, “…the burden of striking a balance between fostering of a lucrative industry and protecting public and environmental health from its side effects has fallen mostly to the states.” We want jobs, energy, clean water, and clean air and I expect the arguments about the wisdom of hydraulic fracturing to continue.