Apr
2
Blog Post 11
April 2, 2015 | 1 Comment
I think the Cuomo administration’s decision to ban fracking is a very smart move. The idea to improve the economies of upstate New York through the use of fracking is a risky approach we do not need to take. According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the NYC Watershed provides the largest supply of unfiltered drinking water in the United States. It’s connected to 19 reservoirs that stretch to 125 miles north of New York City. The potential risk in contaminating this water is dangerous. Oil is at an all-time low and is readily available to consumers, so fracking is not necessary.
The risk of water contamination is not the only concern. Some other factors of risk include spillage, land runoffs, contamination in crop fields, and air pollution. Spillage that leads to runoffs can possibly be more common than water contamination. Water runoffs on the land can be sudden and measures may not be readily prepared to contain it. Spilling into the surrounding environment can damage the natural ecosystem and could hurt our food supplies. Furthermore, the leakage of these natural gases can create a stronger greenhouse gas effect. I think it will take a substantial effort in both regulatory and operational action to minimize these risks to produce a net positive outcome. But if the companies are in it only for the money and politicians are seeking the path for most individual success, fracking could produce harmful results.
As to the concern of economic promotion, an initiative to enhance sources of renewable energy is fitting. Fracking is only a temporary relief. There could be a momentary boost in job growth, but I don’t see employment from these operations to be sustainable as we transition to other forms of energy. Research has shown that the supply of fossil fuels is running out. In addition, with harmful side effect like global warming, there should definitely be more alternative energy investments. Wind and solar energy programs could definitely be implemented so that new jobs can be created. This provides a long term solution in terms of meeting job growth and providing a new source of energy.
However, there are several arguments to support fracking. Using natural gases actually produces fewer emissions than coal. And while the renewable energy industry is growing, the development is not fast enough to meet demands. The scope of the physical area required for renewable energy is also underestimated by many people. Solar and wind power sources require a lot of space. An estimate shows that 496,905 square kilometers (slightly smaller than the surface area of Spain) of solar panels distributed in area with strong sunlight (Sahara Desert) can power the world. It’s ambitious, but we’re very far from it. So the current fracking situation could be viable.
My current stance seems to side with the opinions of many reports. I see it as a risk that pushed because of business opportunities. I think the science behind fracking’s benefits are strong, but a movement into renewable energy is the best long term solution.
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Jia Jun (Jay) Wu
