Fracking has proven to be a safe way to extract oil from well fields and shale oil fields. While its use of water has brought controversy, new studies are showing that fracking may help water conservation. In accordance to industry figures, the 830 California fracking wells used 323 acre-feet of water in 2013. California uses approximately 85 million acre-feet of water each year. 45% is under environmental law and habitat requirements. The other 40% is put aside for agricultural use. The final 10% for residential usage, and the remaining 5% allocated for industrial purposes. To put it in proportion, the amount of water fracking uses accounts for .0004% of water used in California. Meanwhile, recycling fracking water has become increasingly prominent. Anywhere from $70,000 to $300,000 is saved for every fracking well. The industry provides natural gas, jobs, a stable economy, and energy independence for years to come.
This article displays some of the benefits of fracking. However, fracking is not devoid of negative consequences, and it is up to environmental scientists to determine how to improve this method of oil extraction. If fracking can be made more environmentally friendly, it could be a replacement for oil and coal.
Fracking Recycles During Drought. (n.d.). Forbes. Retrieved September 8, 2014, from<>
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brighammccown/2014/08/18/fracking-recycles-during-drought/<>
I believe that fracking can be a benefit for our environment in the way that it is a method to extract oil, but in contrary has some drawbacks. The usage of water is extremely high and should be managed accordingly for the best of all. What do you think a method could be to conserve the amount of water being used?
Very interesting that it may help conserve water. Do you think that fracking helps conserve water in California?
I believe it will in some circumstances, although it may have some difficulties at times.