As of August 28, 2014, fracking is again legal in the state of California. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management decided to retract a federal ban issued in 2013, that prohibited fracking and other “enhanced drilling techniques” in California. The decision allows oil and gas leases for federal lands in California. The decision comes after studies have proven that methods of fracking in California are less detrimental to the environment than those of other states. While most fracking involves drilling oil and gas from rock through the injection of high-pressure water mixtures, sand and chemicals, California oil drilling often involves less water and a greater amount of chemicals. Despite these improved methods, The Center for Biological Diversity has stated their concern in the lack of research on the risks of fracking to the state and the general prematureness of the change.
This article is relevant to environmental science because it discusses the impacts of fracking. Even though there are improvements in technology and methods, fracking still requires large amounts of water, and energy. California is currently experiencing extreme drought, and any use of water – including fracking – strains its environment. Thus, it is important for environmental scientists to understand the consequences of fracking and other enhanced drilling techniques, and how these consequences affect the environment.
do you think it is dangerous that more chemical will be used? Could this affect the biodiversity in a given area?