Fracking
Fracking, the popular abbreviation for hydraulic fracturing, is a technique which injects highly-pressurized fluid into a well to split the rock and allow access to natural gas trapped within.
Energy companies, driven in no small part by dwindling reserves of easy-to-access fossil fuels, are increasingly turning to so-called unconventional sources of fossil fuels. Shale gas is one of these; and hydraulic fracturing promises to open up access to what is claimed to be vast to sources of natural gas, and profits. National governments too, driven by a desire for greater energy independence, want access to these reserves of natural gas.
But big questions remain about the environmental safety of fracking: Will fracking cause more earthquakes? Will the chemicals used contaminate drinking water? What will be the impact on small farms? Does natural gas obtained by fracking have similar greenhouse gas emissions to other natural gas?
Energy companies downplay all of these concerns. Politicians focus on energy independence. Environmentalists urge caution. Whatever side you're on, fracking is likely to remain an issue in the forefront of energy policy for some time.
Featured Stories in Fracking
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Increased Use of Natural Gas Will Make Climate Change Worse, Not Better, New Study Predicts
“The large GHG footprint of shale gas undercuts the logic of its use as a bridging fuel over coming decades, if the goal is to reduce global warming.”
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4.0 Earthquake Caused by Fracking in Ohio Was Felt in Toronto
After a series of 11 earthquakes in nine months, a fracking operation near Youngstown has been suspended.
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Farmer Calls on Reddit to Help Him Protect 30,000 Acres of His Homeland from Fracking
A farmer turns to the popular social media site to throw light on plans to lease 30,000 acres of land to fracking companies.
Tag: Fracking
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Jargon watch: "Unburnable carbon" is important buzz word in energy debate
Leaving some fossil fuels in the ground is the oft-overlooked option in debates over energy policy. "Unburned carbon" is new buzz word and important choice in energy debate.
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Fracking explosion sends "Frac Stack" flying [PHOTOS]
Last night, on her show, Rachel Maddow showed some incredible photos of an explosive accident at a Texas fracking site. After seeing the photos, you'll be surprised to learn that thankfully no one was killed.
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Tar Sands Blockade pressures banks to divest from Keystone XL project, 37 arrested in week of protests
This week, Tar Sands Action is engaged in a series of protests directed at bringing attention to the Keystone XL pipeline and banks that profit from these dirty tar sands development.
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Ten reasons fracking California is stupid idea - Grist
David Roberts at Grist lists "Ten reasons why fracking for dirty oil in California is a stupid idea. Go read it all.
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Will Obama Approve Keystone XL? Tracking the Latest Speculation
Will the pipeline be built, or will President Obama or the State Department halt its construction? We follow the latest news here.
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Sandra Steingraber is TreeHugger's 2012 Person of the Year
By channeling raw emotion stemming from her own experience as a cancer surviver, the ecologist and outspoken environmentalist is making herself heard around the world.
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Conservative Politician Blasts Outdated, Carbon-Intensive Energy Policy
Fighting climate change and modernizing our energy grid shouldn't be a partisan issue. At least one conservative recognizes that.
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Why Shale Gas Fracking May Never Succeed in the UK
The UK is not America. Any attempt to replicate recent shale gas developments there will face some serious reality checks.
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UK Lifts Suspension of Shale Gas Fracking
In a predicted trade off for increasing support of renewables, the UK government has lifted its suspension of fracking for shale gas.
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Fight Fracking via Video, Win Lunch With Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon
Have some video skills and want to join in the fight against fracking in New York? Here's a contest for you.
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Vote For TreeHugger's 2012 Person of the Year
These 5 environmental activists shout battle cries for the likes of mainstream, affordable electric cars, widespread solar power, replanting efforts for endangered wildlife, gadget repairability, and more. Who is your favorite?
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University of Texas Researcher Quits After Fracking Conflict of Interest Revealed
The University of Texas has withdrawn a study that claimed fracking does not contaminate groundwater, following revelations that its author has significant financial ties to the gas industry.
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Democratic Dominance Or Strangling the "Energy Boom"? Obama's False Choice
If Obama buys short-term political dominance by embracing fossil fuels, the long-term consequences will be disastrous.
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New York State Revised Fracking Rules May Come Before End of Year
This would mean the revised rules would come without the promised reassessment of the health impacts of fracking.
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New York Governor Pledges to Lead on Climate Change - But What About on Fracking?
Andrew Cuomo pens an impassioned piece on the importance of reinforcing New York's infrastructure against extreme weather, but fails to mention how we can help slow climate change itself.
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More Fossil Fuels or a Stable Climate? We Can't Have Both, IEA Report Says
Forget US energy independence, the real message of the latest IEA World Energy Outlook is that we have to keep two-thirds of all remaining fossil fuels in the ground to avoid wrecking the planet.
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7 Ballot Initiatives Bucking the Status Quo Passed Yesterday & 1 Upheld It
Marijuana use, Citizens United, fracking, statehood for a US territory, and labeling of GMO ingredients all were voted on in yesterday's election.
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It’s Time for the Green Cloak to Come Off of Natural Gas.
Casey Sheahan, CEO of Patagonia, shares his thoughts on natural gas and the recent Frack Free Colorado event.
