Hey guys,  came across a bunch of good Facebook and Twitter fan pages about fracking. I suggest that you check them out. They all are great and are fill with people who are interested in fracking and environmental issues!

Facebook

Facts about Fracking  https://www.facebook.com/FrackingScience/?fref=ts

http://on.fb.me/1If4uqu

Ban Michigan Fracking - https://www.facebook.com/BanMichiganFracking/?fref=ts

http://on.fb.me/1PL3r9t

Twitter

Eco Watch - https://twitter.com/EcoWatch

Fracking News - https://twitter.com/EI_Fracking

Global Fracking Ban - https://twitter.com/FrackingBan

Fracking and Better Alternatives.

Though Fracking is not very environmentally friendly, it does help produce fossil fuels. We already have to deal with the Fracking process, but finding different alternatives is a great way to get started.  I’ve done some research online and found numerous ideas and methods that some companies are already using, I suggest that you guys check it out!

Water-Free Fracking – There are other systems of fracking, one way uses a gelled fluid containing propane. Gel retains the sand better than water, this gets the results with just 1/8 of the liquid that is normally used, but it has to pump at a slow rate. This eliminates the need to dispose of the contaminated water and haul it away in trucks. The excess water usually ends up at a deep well injection site.

Eliminating Diesel Fumes -  Diesel-powered equipment is used in the drilling and pumping process, which is harmful to the environment and contributes to global warming.  Even by using equipment powered by natural gas you can leave a little bit less of a carbon footprint, by doing this it can also save on fuel cost.

Plugging Methane Leaks – Like I mentioned before, unregulated fracking can lead to  possible methane leaks among drilling sites.  Methane is 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide and a recent study has shown that methane emissions are about 50% higher (you can check out more regulations that will be passed at this website http://energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/2012/04/18/air-pollution-from-fracked-natural-gas-wells-will-be-regulated-under-new-u-s-rules/.

Treating Wastewater – The amount of water exceeds the amount of oil actually produced. The fluid that comes returns to the surface is chemically treated frack water, rock formation that contains numerous different materials.  This water then is transported to deep well sites. There are a few treatment options, one being the “Clean Wave System”, which uses positively charged ions and bubbles to remove particles from the water at the Fracking site. This would help clean the water used and reduce expenses for water that needs to  be transported and removed from the fracking site.

The Up and Downhill Battle of Fracking.

Pro's vs. Con's

           Unfortunately fracking is going to happen, it helps produce energy that helps power our country and it's also a multimillion dollar business. Fracking has risen in popularity over the past decade. Blasting water, chemicals, and sand beneath the earth's surface not only harms the environment around it but also to communities around the fracking site, though that being said there are some benefits of fracking. I'm going to list off some talked about pro's and con's of fracking along with a video that makes some good points and you can decide for yourself.


Pro's -

There's a decreased demand for foreign oil, which will cause gas prices to drop, reduces the cost to resource oil from other countries. With the demands for more oil and dwindling resources finding other alternatives is very important.

- Improved air Quality. Natural gas is substituted for coal, using natural gas reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly, mercury and ash emissions are also eradicated.

 - Produces jobs for the community. Fracking is a profitable business and can generate a lot of business for the community around it.

 Con's

 - Chemicals are used the help fracture the shale when the drills blast the water. There has been numerous reports across the country about fouled tap water. Not only has it been contaminating water, but it's also using water as resource in drought stricken areas. Firms are also not pressures to disclose information about what type of chemicals they're using.

 - Destruction - Drilling damages the environment around the site. Wells drill thousands of feet down, this could cause some geological issues if the drilling is not regulated probably. If chemicals spill into a water supply destroy multiple environments.

 - Though it reduces some gas's fracking is also known to release some methane if the sites are not drilled correctly.

 - Noise pollution - Construction and daily drilling procedures cause a tremendous amount of noise and residential areas. Residential areas quickly turn into industrial work zones.

 In my honest opinion I dislike drilling and any damage to the environment, but fracking does damage just as much as it benefits us. It produces another alternative for energy which is great, but at a cost. Ask yourself is it the right thing to do? The Economist also makes some pretty good points, if you have the time I would recommend to watch it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0q_n63X438

How Dangerous is Shale Fracking? You decided.

When it comes to fracking, the dangers in my opinion outweigh the benefits that it has to offer. Yes, it has enabled a tremendous amount of natural gas to be extracted from the ground. Natural gas now fuels nearly 40% of the country's electricity generation. But what some people over look is the process of the drilling to extract the natural gas. Which is a huge reason why people let fracking just happen. Drilling cost other resources to build the equipment and to transport the equipment and supplies to begin the process. Fracking uses a number of different chemicals the help break up the shale, if those go unregulated it could be dangerous and costly, we've all seen our share of mishaps with gas company's. A single mishap could damage and contaminate water for nearby communities could lead to a number of different environmental issues. About 30%-40% of the waste that is left in the group is non-biodegradable. Which is a huge environmental problem. Im going to post a web address that is one of my favorite sites about the dangers of fracking that explains a great detail process of what a normal drilling site goes through and what resources they use. http://www.dangersoffracking.com

Fracking has been over looked by a lot of people. I just want to help the community better understand shale drilling and the effects it has on the environment as well as the communities around it. It has been practiced since the 1950's but is highly controversial around the world. Week by week I want to explain as much as I can and promote safer practices for the drilling and things we could do to bring more attention to the situation that we've been dealing with for over half a century.

Here is a site that best describes fracking, from a "Pro-fracking" point of view. http://bit.ly/1L6IeSV