Setback Limits Of Fracking
Should The Setback Limits For Fracking Be increased?
One
of the latest debated topics, not only in Colorado but all around the nation, is
hydraulic fracturing. According to Earth Justice, Colorado sits on a rich
source of natural gas called Niobrara Shale. They also say that from the
years 2000 to 2010, the number of active oil wells rose from 22,228 to
43,354.
The
Brookings Institution has recorded that natural gas prices has dropped 47
percent since 2013 due to fracking. They go on to say that gas bills have
dropped an average of $200 each year for gas-consuming households. This
adds up to $13 billion per year.
According
to the Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development (CRED), the natural gas
unlocked by fracking has allowed small businesses to cut their energy costs,
which allows them to hire more employees. Colorado’s small businesses make up
more than 99% of Colorado’s employers. In another article, the CRED go on to
say that “Colorado is one of the largest natural gas producers in the U.S. and
a global leader in energy production.”
According
to the Denver Post, the deadly Firestone house explosion was caused by “an
odorless gas leak from a cut gas flow pipeline.” After the investigation was
completed, Governor John Hickenlooper ordered all oil and gas companies to
inspect their unused flow lines within 1,000 feet of all occupied buildings
including homes. In another post, the Denver Post states that Anadarko
Petroleum, the company faulted for the deadly explosion, has finished all
inspections and returned half of their vertical oil wells back to service a year
after the explosion.
There
are a lot of pros and cons from fracking. There are definitely a lot of
opinions and people who want to share them. Fracking seems like a hot button
topic that deserves a fair and informative debate. After my research, I started
wondering what other benefits and downfalls there are from fracking and look
forward to getting all the facts before forming a position on this topic.
Sources:
https://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/02/firestone-explosion-cause-cut-gas-line/
Hello there seems we both have chosen the same topic I have learned a lot researching oil and gas and it has raised many questions of my own to me being my biggest worry is about health and how it can effect people in close range to the oil sites.
ReplyDeleteYou've brought up a LOT of issues related to fracking, but which narrow sub-issue will you focus on for your research in this class?
ReplyDeleteThe Firestone explosion, though, brings up the debate about setback limits and whether oil and gas drilling should be allowed so close to residential areas and schools, and that seems to be your title of the blog, so perhaps your main goal is to research that specific debates?
Also, what questions do you sources raise for you?