Activity 4.2.1 – Applying My Environmental Policy

 WHY IS HYDROFRACKING CONTENTIOUS?

Problem Statement

Hydraulic fracturing is a major environmental policy issue in the United States. Hydrofracking takes place to retrieve gas or oil in a way that requires methods that can result to be harmful. The process requires injecting water, chemicals, and sand at high pressure into rocks underwater. To begin, a well is drilled and then extended to reach the gas in the rocks. The issue with this method of getting natural gas is the effects it can cause on the environment and humans. The chemicals released by hydrofracking are known to cause extreme health problems like cancer. However, energy companies argue that the chemicals will not reach drinking water. The practice of hydrofracking also requires gallons of water to manage it. When dealing with wastewater and the release of harmful chemicals, it is still considered a serious issue. Although the economic view of this process is great many groups disagree wanting it to be banned or with regulations.

Identity Frame 

In New York, they have been cautious about the decisions on hydrofracking. The governor received pressure from citizens to decide to ban it altogether, so he issued a report with restrictions on hydrofracking. Some restrictions were, surface drilling, no drilling close to aquifers, and less high-volume fracturing. They value protecting their drinking water. They value knowing what chemicals are being released into the air. Their view goes more towards wanting hydrofracking to become banned. However, it is still a legal practice but with a few restrictions. There is still 85% availability for natural gas extraction. The department is stern with the issue's results due to the good economic growth. The department argues that it is a balanced decision.

Legal Frame

Fracking regulations are dependent on each state. Companies still need to follow; the safe drinking water act, clean air act, and liability act. However, former vice president and Halliburton CEO Richard Cheney created exemptions to the Energy policy act of 2005. Companies did not want to disclose the information about what chemicals they use in the hydrofracking process. It would let other competitors know exactly what they do and use. The exemptions made it less strict for companies to follow air and water regulations that were established to protect the environment. In 2011, an act was proposed to stop the exemptions, but unfortunately not enacted. The following year former President Obama established a high-level interagency working group that made an effort to support safe and responsible unconventional natural gas development. He supported hydrofracking but made hydrofracking on public lands required to disclose the chemicals they used in the process.

Power Frame

Since hydrofracking is dependent on the state, the governor is the one who will determine the outcome of banning or keeping hydrofracking. Each state still has to abide by the laws mandated. For example, in Argentina, it is not mandatory to disclose details about fracking liquid. In Poland, hydraulic fracturing is public information. China has no regulations, but still follows the environmental protection standards. Contradictory, France has banned altogether; the practice of hydrofracking. There is no state more powerful than the other. Each has its own values, views, and beliefs about what's best for the state.

Risk Frame

There is an opportunity cost when choosing whether to ban or keep hydrofracking. The benefit of hydrofracking is that natural gas is cleaner than fossil fuels and can displace some. For example, natural gas only releases half of the carbon dioxide than coal. It would lower our greenhouse gas emissions by more use of natural gas. As a result of its non- complex chemical structure, it burns cleaner and generates fewer environmental pollutants than coal or oil. Further, it is cheaper to develop, making it an economic advantage. However, the disadvantage of hydrofracking is what it can do to our health and the environment. While hydrofracking gives a chance for the United States to meet its energy and economic demands, it also has the potential to endanger important resources and public health.

Conflict Management Frame

 Both sides of the debate have citizens who don't seem to budge from their positions. Economic gains and environmental conservation are wanting the opposite solutions to hydrofracking. That is why each state can form its own opinions. The management of this issue relies on the governor of that state. Governors get elected by citizens who are in that state, giving people a fair shot to vote for what they believe in. 

Reference

COHEN et al_2014_Fracking.pdf (instructure.com)