4-11-17

The first sentence that stood out to me in this article is “The total production of natural gas has increased by more than 30% during the past decade.” (Environ. Sci. Technol). This sentence grabbed my attention because I find it amazing that this percentage has increased so dramatically. I think that the use of natural gases is very important and is changing energy use in a huge way.  However, I think that drilling and fracturing described in the same paragraph as this quote is too harmful to the environment.  Since this kind of extraction is so harmful and invasive to nature I think that the benefits may not be enough to justify it.

http://blogs.idahostatesman.com/natural-gas-drillers-get-pemits-from-state-for-payette-county-wells/

The second sentence that I decided to use as a quote is “Elevated levels of methane and other aliphatic hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane in shallow drinking water wells pose a potential flammability or explosion hazard to homes with private domestic wells.” (Environ. Sci. Technol).  I chose this sentence because I feel like not enough people are educated on the water contamination to extraction of natural gases. If more people were educated on this repercussion, then maybe there would be more rules and regulations to protect water. The protection of water against contamination from natural gases is not only important to the environment but also to people because it is very dangerous.

https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2013/05/13/federal-government-expected-to-unveil-fracking-regulations-for-public-lands-soon/a-natural-gas-drilling-rig-operates-as-natural-gas-piping-rises-from-underground-outside-rifle/

The third sentence I chose because it really sums everything up, it is “Our survey of the literature has identified four plausible risks to water resources associated with shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing” (Environ. Sci. Technol). The fact that there are 4 risks just stated in this article alone should tell people the dangers of gathering natural gases in the ways described in the article has way too much of a risk. Hydraulic drilling and fracturing is harmful to all of nature and not just our water supply, but our water supply is the biggest issue. It causes contamination and even explosions in homes due to the gases contaminating the water being flammable.

Vengosh A, Jackson B, Warner N, Darrah H, Kondash A. (2014). A Critical Review of the Risks to Water Resources from Unconventional Shale Gas Development and Hydraulic Fracturing in the United States.file:///C:/Users/akoch/Downloads/Vengosh%202014%20Review%20of%20risks%20to%20water%20resources%20from%20fracking.pdf