FRACKING

AN INTRODUCTION TO FRACKING

• Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most widely debated topics in politics today
• The process of fracking:
• The injection of sand, water and chemicals in to cracks in shale bedrock near wells
• Releases natural gas and oil when the cracks are expanded
• Economically productive, environmentally harmful

THOSE IN FAVOR OF FRACKING

• Tends to be Republicans (Wedge issue)
• In favor of the economic stimulation that fracking brings states
• Can single-handedly stimulate a state's oil and natural gas program (ND)
• Nearly 300,000 barrels of natural gas collected per day (potentially)
• Makes gas and oil a domestic strength

THOSE OPPOSED TO FRACKING

• Tends to be Democrats (Wedge issue)
• 40,000 gallons of over 400 chemicals used in every job
• These chemicals can be toxic, even carcinogenic
• VOCs in the atmosphere
• Contaminated drinking water

WHAT THE FRACK IS GOING ON?

• Hermosa Beach, California
• Garrett County, Maryland
• Legislation by Obama
• Negative reaction to legislation, specifically
• North Dakota and Wyoming