Fracking: An unregulated danger to our nation's drinking water
Fracking diagram. Courtesy Geology.com.
Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is a resource extraction method used to break down underground rock formations to release natural gas or oil. To release gas trapped within thin layers of rock, natural gas producers inject a pressurized mixture of water, sand, and chemical into oil or gas wells or coalmine methane beds, a process that breaks down the formations and allows the gas to flow.
The technique is employed in 90% of oil and gas operation throughout the United States on both public and private lands, which induces concerns about the chemicals used in fracking, and the impact of the process on our lands and in our water.
Our Question and Answer fact sheet includes more information on fracking.
About Jessica Goad
Jessica Goad serves as a Policy Fellow on our energy and climate teams. She works on both renewable and fossil energy issues. Jessica’s enthusiasm for public lands and environmental policy grew out of her childhood experiences growing up... More about Jessica Goad
