EHST's program on November 24th featured Elaine Chiosso, Executive Director of the Haw River Assembly, who presented us with the reasons why fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is not a good option for North Carolina. In 2014 the state legislature is expected to approve new regulations allowing fracking in North Carolina; the first permits can be issued in October. Studies show that there are 14 counties in central North Carolina where fracking could be done including Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake. This region will be impacted by this new process of extracting oil and gas from shale deposits. You may view Ms. Chiosso's slide show here. If you are against fracking, you may sign a petition against it here.
What's your opinion on fracking? Let us know with your comments!
Jeff B. says
My first reaction to fracking is that it is tempting to support on a limited basis, in appropriate locations, since natural gas offers an alternative energy source to coal, a principal source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Methane leakage is the biggest caveat. If fracking cannot prevent it, then the CO2-equivalent emissions may not actually be reduced, given methane’s radiative forcing being 20-25x that of CO2. I know some studies have looked at methane leakage, and I hope more research can be done on this. I would not be able to support fracking unless I am convinced this problem is sufficiently addressed.