Fracking should be banned. Engineering Assignment.

Your University
Why should the United States Ban fracking?
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
March 30, 2020
In the late 1940s, the idea of fracking has made big news in the United States. Even during its inception, both the State and other private corporations have set their eyes in using fracking as an alternative source of non-renewable fuels to support the country’s increasing demand for fossil fuels. Several administrations have visualized this process as a means of realizing America’s vision of an “energy independent” country that has a positive net export when it comes to fuel. Nevertheless, several studies have shown that fracking, in its current State today, poses more risks than advantages than other sources of energy. To understand this, this article would initially provide an overview of the fracking process. Subsequently, it would then weigh the risks and benefits of the fracking process, taking into consideration how it affects the environment and the people. All in all, I believe that fracking should be banned due to the great danger than it poses to the environment and the people, as compared to other sources of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Overview of the Process
Generally speaking, fracking is conducted by mixing two technological processes, namely (1) horizontal drilling and (2) hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking.’ Initially, the process is commenced similarly with other methods of extracting fossil fuels, that is, by drilling vertically. During this early phase, concrete and other materials are placed in the lining of the well in order to ensure that the gas and other toxic materials would not leak into the surrounding waters CITATION Lal18 \l 1033 (Lallanilla, 2018). Upon reaching a depth of around 1 to 2 miles underneath, horizontal drilling is then commenced, which can extend for about 1 mile from the “vertical wellbore.” What makes this process different from the initial phase was the fact that in horizontal drilling, no cement is placed in the lining of the well in order to maximize absorption of gas and fuel that will be collected at a later phase.
After securing the well for gas extraction, the next phase involves breaking the rocks by creating a series of fractures along the horizontal bore well. During this process, fracking fluid (also called ‘slickwater’) is pumped with extremely high pressures throughout the whole horizontal bore well in order to create the fractures which are necessary for fuel flow and extraction. This increases the danger, especially considering that a variety of ‘additives,’ such as “detergents, salts, acids, alcohols, lubricants, and disinfectants,” are added in order further to improve the results CITATION Lal18 \l 1033 (Lallanilla, 2018).
Lastly, before starting to extract gas and fuel, flow back water should still be collected, treated, and stored in a safe facility. Flowback water is highly toxic, and due to the extreme pressures of hydraulic fracking, it can result in a leak to the surrounding areas of the horizontal bore well.
Advantages of Fracking
Economically speaking, fracking has many advantages for the U.S. Economy by d...