Given the increase in demand for drinking water, land in upstate New York should be set aside for hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking.
Underneath New York state is the Marcellus Shale, which is one of the largest shale formations used for natural gas. Hydrofracking is a technique that pumps millions of gallons of water, sand, and other chemicals below the Earth to fracture underlying rock and thus pump the natural gas located in the shale to the surface. While hydrofracking does raise question about where to dispose “flow back water,” it is possible for the fluid to be disposed in proper injection wells, which are located in other states. With cooperation by states, they can insure that the fluid is properly disposed.
Even though hydrofracking has many opponents in New York, it reaps many added benefits to the state including large amounts of natural gas. It is estimated that hydrofracking will produce 410 trillion cubes of natural gas reserve. Furthermore, it will also create jobs; in fact, approximately 13,491 to 53,969 jobs will be created as a result of this project. Future job growth is also anticipated; by 2025 one million jobs will be created. Moreover, the state also benefits from hydrofracking with gains estimated to be $2.7 billion and $1 billion in federal, state and local taxes (514). Thus, economically, New York state will benefit tremendously from hydrofracking both through job creation and increased revenue for the state.
For the New Yorkers who are skeptical about the benefits of hydrofracking, currently 90% of the 14,000 wells have undergone hydraulic fracturing. Furthermore, state officials also imposed regulations on the gas industry regarding drilling methods to ensure that their methods are safe. In fact, the rules imposed by the state of New York are “‘equivalent to the federal Fracturing Awareness and Responsibility (FRAC) Act of 2011.” Under New York state regulations, the industries must show state officials that there is a significant amount of impermeable rock between the well and groundwater before they can start drilling.
In addition, another added benefit of hydrofracking is that it is a “cleaner source of energy than oil and coal.” Given the United States reputation as the largest consumer of petroleum, adopting natural gas as another means for energy will led to significant economic benefits. For example, it will reduce dependency on oil and create a more “stable energy market.” Moreover, the cost of natural gas is relatively low, which makes it a great alternative to petroleum for fueling various modes of transportation.
Those who are against hydrofracking, oppose it for few reasons, one includes the increased likelihood of earthquakes. While this is a valid concern, more research is needed to explore the correlation between “oil and gas production and seismicity.” Furthermore, many opponents claim that natural gas will release unsafe amounts of methane into the air; however, they fail to acknowledge that the EPA has significantly reduced the amount of methane emissions through the New Source Performance Standards NSPS. Through its regulations on hydrofracking, will ensure the same level of safety.
Therefore, the benefits of hydrofracking drastically outweigh the minor negative claims. Land in New York State should be used for hydrofracking because through this project it will lead to the creation of jobs, increased revenue for the state and less dependence on petroleum for fuel.
Source: Nolon, John R. and Polidoro, Victoria, Hydrofracking: Disturbances Both Geological and Political: Who Decides? (2012). 44 Urb. Law. 507 (2012 Forthcoming). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2066780 pgs(507-522)
