Amber Young

PA6622: Public Policy

Dr. Tammy Esteves

June 9, 2023

Executive Summary

Over the past twenty years, the United States has had concerns regarding declining

domestic energy resources (Krupp, 2019). As a result of these fears, the U.S. has been pressed to

find a solution, which came just in time with the scientific development of hydraulic fracturing.

Water, sand, and other chemicals are forced into bedrock formations at high pressures during

hydraulic fracturing (e.g., fracking) (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2019). The process aims

to expand oil and gas discharge from fertile geophysical structures containing petroleum (USGS,

2019). Since 2010, fracking has contributed to a 25 percent gain in natural gas production in the

United States (Krupp, 2014). Unfortunately, not all resolutions are problem-free, and states are

beginning to realize fracking is not without its own. Colorado is home to more than 51,000

decayed fracking sites, now the state's largest source of air pollutants (Krupp, 2019). Fracking

also has massive impacts on land, with each well requiring 30,000 m2 of land mass (Castro-

Alvarez et al., 2018). These locations frequently impose on woodlands and grasslands, causing

significant devastation to animals and plants due to habitat destruction (Castro-Alvarez et al.,

2018). Wildlife is not the only animals impacted; domestic animals also fall victim. During the

extensive study of seven cattle farms, 50 percent of the herds were affected by death or injuries,

and the survivors were incapable of reproducing themselves (Wile, 2012). Migratory birds like

the hooded warbler have experienced a 15 percent population decrease due to deforestation from

fracking wells (Lohan, 2019). These integral members of the ecosystem help keep insect
populations balanced, and since their decline, the health of forests has suffered (Lohan, 2019).

Fracking discharges dangerous airborne chemicals that put humans that live near drilling

locations at risk for respiratory ailments like asthma (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.).

Currently, "states vary in terms of how fracking-related risks are addressed" (Davis, 2017, p. 67).

Davis (2017) suggests that states refrain from receiving federal government intervention

regarding energy policy decisions. As a result, economic factors play a prominent role in

instituting environmental protection policies.

Currently, some states require wastewater tracking systems, while others require venting

to improve air quality, but there are significant differences between states in their fracking

regulations (David, 2017). Both states and the federal government should explore cleaner options

to eliminate the environmental devastation caused by fracking. One such option is using water-

less fracking equipment, replacing current systems with coagulated propane, yielding the same

results as water-propelled systems (ODU.EDU, n.d.). This system uses 1/8th the average amount

of water and produces limited volumes of noxious byproducts (ODU.EDU, n.d.). Wastewater

purification systems are a method to clean fracking effluence, and fracking systems can reuse the

clean water these purification systems produce (ODU.EDU, n.d.). Other possible policy solutions

include restrictions and laws on future locations for fracking, eliminating areas that should

receive environmental protections, or abolishing fracking as a source of natural gas production

(Ferguson et al., 2016). It is crucial to formulate effective ecological policies to focus on

scientific evidence, strictly interpreted data, and substantiated facts sought without fear of

retribution from stakeholders.

 Annotated Bibliography

Castro-Alvarez, F., Marsters, P., De Leon Barido, D. P., & Kammen, D. M. (2018). Sustainability

lessons from shale development in the United States for Mexico and other emerging

unconventional oil and gas developers. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82,

1320–1332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.08.082

This peer-reviewed article discusses the various characteristics of fracking and its impact

on the environment, energy security, and sustainability. The report covers both benefits

and threats of fracking. While the authors do not present a specific argument for or

against fracking, the article provides crucial details on how upcoming oil developers can

make natural gas drilling sustainable in conjunction with understanding risks to water

contamination and consumption, seismic effects, and carbon emissions.

Center for Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Fracking in the United States: 10 key questions.

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/fracking/10_questions.html

This article discusses what fracking is and how fracking threatens wildlife, humans, air

quality, water, and land, and the seismic impacts on Earth. Additionally, the article

discusses federal laws and the regulation of those laws, in conjunction with their failures

in helping people stay protected from the risks of fracking byproducts. The report offers

critical information on infrastructure costs and harmful gases leaking into the Earth's

atmosphere.

Davis, C. E. (2017). Shaping state fracking policies in the United States: An analysis of who,

what, and how. State and Local Government Review, 49(2), 140-150.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X17712555
 This article summarizes the analysis of how several governments have regulated fossil

fuels in the past and how states are currently pursuing the expanded usage of

contemporary drilling practices like hydraulic fracturing (e.g., fracking). Also, the article

discusses how jurisdictional control is established, the policy implications of fracking,

and how hydraulic fracturing shapes policy decision-making.

Ferguson, D. P., Smith, M. F., & Efird, B. (2016). Measuring the impact of activism on hydraulic

fracturing policy globally. Quarterly Review of Business Disciplines, 3(2), 81-100.

This article discusses fracking policy and resolution options regarding activism and

public weight. It introduces edifying and ecological factors to measure influence, tactics,

and campaigns used to influence politics. Regarding politics, public relationships are a

significant outlier in how government and citizens perceive fracking operations as

valuable or detrimental. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the impacts of both fracking

activism and the processes themselves.

Krupp, F. (2014). Don't just drill, baby--drill carefully: How to make fracking safer for the

environment. Foreign Affairs, 93(3), 15–20.

https://doi-org.libproxy.troy.edu/http://www.foreignaffairs.com/archive

This article discusses challenges in the energy business and explores possible solutions to

improve the negative implications of shale gas fracking. The report lists dirty water as a

significant consideration of fracking processes and discusses the significance of methane

displacement during drilling operations. It highlights the importance of reducing

emissions and regulating the oil and gas industry. While this article has no specific fixes

for the problem, it does visit many suitable options to help protect the environment

without damaging the energy industry.

Lohan, T. (2019, October 2). We're just starting to learn how fracking harms wildlife. The

Revelator. https://therevelator.org/fracking-wildlife/

The Revelator is an environmental activism webpage that provides an independent

editorial about the implications fracking has on wildlife. It discusses the effects gas

drilling has on habitat loss and animal populations. It also discusses the effects fracking

has on various species of birds due to noise pollution by suggesting that fracking

produces such high noise levels that it alters how owls hunt prey. The article cites

numerous peer-reviewed studies to form its stance on fracking.

Miller, S. (2019). Counterpoint: Energy companies should cease all hydraulic fracturing

operations in Canada. Canadian Points of View: Fracking, 1.

The article discusses the significance of air and water pollution relating to fracking

operations. The author highlights the physiological implications for humans living near

fracking operations, such as vomiting, headaches, outbreaks, and wheezing. This article

discusses fluid run-off from fracking and how it seeps into groundwater, impacting

wildlife and humans, especially those using well water. This is one of two articles I have

located regarding fracking byproducts poisoning people and landscapes.

OSU.EDU. (n.d.). Fracking, why? Exploring what fracking is and why something needs to

change. The Ohio State University.

https://u.osu.edu/engr2367publicdocument3/alternatives-to-fracking/new-methods-to-

fracking/

This article discusses possible policy solutions for fracking, such as using brine water

instead of fresh, eliminating diesel drilling equipment, wastewater purification, and

reducing methane emissions. Unlike many of the articles in this bibliography, this article
 is a summation of solutions rather than problems, which is crucial in searching for

fracking impacts. Additionally, the paper discusses alternate energy solutions that are

renewable, unpolluted, and cost-effective.

P.L.M. Delompré, T.A. Blewett, G.G. Goss, C.N. Glover. (2019). Shedding light on the effects of

hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water on phototactic behavior in Daphnia

magna. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 174(1), 315-323.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.006.

This article discusses the flow back (a hypersaline mixture; effluents) produced during

fracking. This solution eradicates a specific genus of water flea, vital in marine food webs

and stabilization of biodiversity. The article suggests that gas fracking leads to changes in

this organism's behavior and can have consequential applicability, potentially resulting in

detriments in migratory practices, reproduction, accession of sustenance, and the ability

to evade predation.

Țicleanu, M., Nicolescu, R., & Ion, A. (2014). Exploitation of shale gas by hydraulic fracturing -

A method with possible middle and long term catastrophic consequences. Proceedings of

the International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM, (1)1, 299–306.

This article discusses the residual leftovers of shale gas fracking as toxic, with the

majority remaining underground. This information is significant because it is relevant to

the planet's future health. The authors call this fluid an "ecological bomb with delayed

effect." This article infers that soil contamination caused by fracking byproducts

significantly impairs the environment for animals, plants, and humans.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Hydraulic fracturing for oil and Gas: Impacts

from the hydraulic fracturing water cycle on drinking water resources in the United

States (final report). https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/hfstudy/recordisplay.cfm?deid=332990

This report assesses the potential impacts of fracking operations and identifies the driving

factors that affect the severity and sensitivity of these impacts. The importance of this

report aids the reader in understanding how federal, state, and tribal governments, as well

as citizens with communities, can seek to protect drinking water resources from fracking.

U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]. (2019, March 2). Hydraulic fracturing.

https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/hydraulic-

fracturing#:~:text=Hydraulic%20fracturing%2C%20commonly%20known%20as,up

%20oil%20or%20gas%20reserves.

This article assists the reader in understanding the process of hydraulic fracturing and

how the U.S. Geological Survey helps monitor the impact of this process. It lists potential

impacts as chemical spills, surface-water-quality degradation, groundwater

contamination, and provoked occurrences of earthquakes. Additional concerns are listed

regarding waste fluid disposal.

Wile, R. (2012, February 9). Study: Fracking chemicals are killing and neutering pets and farm

animals. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/study-fracking-chemicals-

killing-neutering-farm-animals-pets-2012-2

This article discusses a study conducted by Cornell University regarding the chemicals

used in fracking and their impact on nearby water tables. The findings suggest that these

chemicals can directly relate to a high incidence of stillborn farm animals and pets,

neurological illnesses, and even death. Moreover, the farmers in these areas all had
diseases related to the air from nearby drilling. This article supports my assertions

regarding the harmful effects of natural gas drilling on the environment.