Apr
2
Blog Post #13 Andrew Chen
April 2, 2015 | Leave a Comment
Prior to reading these two articles about the activity known as fracking, I hadn’t really known much about the process. I only knew that it helped out with extracting resources for natural gas. However, no one really favored fracking, but rather considered it as the last alternative.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reversed his opinion on fracking and announced that the administration would ban hydraulic fracturing in the New York State. Because the process involves injecting a large amount of water, sand, and chemicals into the deep underground to facilitate the release of oil and natural gas from rock formations, environmentalists are worried about what lasting effects it can have on the earth. Not only does transporting the water take its toll on the environment, but the chemicals used can pollute groundwater, which is often used as a pure water source. Also, fracking results in small earthquakes occuring in the areas where it is done.
Another argument that environmentalists bring up is that it hinders the progress of the world going green, as well as investing in renewable resources of energy. However, though I think fracking is a better alternative than the burning of coal, I agree with environmentalists that there are better options, such as refocusing on renewable resources for the long run. Fracking will only get the world so far, and once it runs out, the future will be behind in terms of energy. It should be better if we were to focus on investing and developing renewable resources, where the future can have a reserve of oil and natural gas if something catastrophic happens.
I feel that Cuomo’s decision to ban fracking was based a lot on protesters showing up to his events and advocating a state-wide ban. This political and social pressure definitely had some type of influence on him and his cabinet. Marcellus Shale is rich with natural energy, and local towns had previously put 63% off limits to drilling. The distance Cuomo put between himself and the decision over fracking strikes me as odd, as if he didn’t really want to be associated with the decision. He shifted the “glory” over to his health and environmental conservation commissioners, yet opponents of fracking still regarded him as a hero.
This such indecisiveness and political game makes the issue of fracking, and anything else for that matter, a controversial issue. Fracking was previously used to revive towns upstate, and without it, these communities will need to resort to something else. With a confirmed decision on any issue, there will always be supporters and opponents for it. One can’t please everyone, but it’s good to think about “for the greater good.”
