The fracking process
Natural gas is extracted through the fracking process. To begin with, a desired depth of well is drilled vertically. The angle of drilling is shifted to 90 degrees. Thereafter, the drilling process is continued horizontally up to the point where there are deposits of natural gas (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, 2014). Second, fissures are created into the dug well using a combination of chemicals, sand and water. The mixture is forced into the dip well at a relatively high pressure. The latter mixture forces the natural gas out from its deposit. In other words, the fissures allow the natural gas to escape. The gas component is trapped on the surface of the well. Thereafter, it is processed and refined and later moved to different locations for marketing purpose. After the process of fracking is complete, water liberated comes back to the surface.
Fracking regions in Canada
The Canadian petroleum industry largely depends on the fracking process as the main method of extracting natural gas from its deposit. Some of the regions where fracking takes place include Alberta, New Brunswick, Neva Scotia, Horn River, Montney, Bakken, and Quebec (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, 2014).
Economic benefits of fracking
There are several economic benefits of fracking. For example, the process has boosted the supply of both oil and gas. Consequently, employment is directly created in the mining sites. The production and delivery operations of the natural gas demand an increased number of workers (Goodine, 2011). An upward growth in employment opportunities has been witnessed in Canada ever since the fracking process was given priority in the production of oil and gas. The trade balance is also impacted directly by the fracking procedure. In other words, the energy trade balance has significantly been stabilized between Canada and other nations.
There are regions where conventional technologies are not effective. As a result, the fracking process remains as the last option of energy production in such regions. Massive new supplies of oil have been unlocked by the fracking process. The dense shale deposits are used to extract natural gas to the benefit of the local economies. In addition, the energy security has been increased by the fracking process. Moreover, the electricity generation capacity of a country can be improved when fracking is used as an alternative source of oil and gas production (Goodine, 2011).
On the overall, local economies have been boosted by hydraulic fracturing. Some examples include the formation of lucrative oil-based enterprises, improved revenue through taxation to the government, and remission of royalty payments to individuals who own valuable properties.
Health and environmental effects of fracking
In spite of the several benefits associated with hydraulic fracturing, the process poses some serious environmental and health risks. When chemicals are injected deep into the ground in order to force natural gas through the fissures, a lot of danger is posed to the local aquifers. The underground supplies that provide drinking water are also polluted in various ways. Moreover, the immediate environment is negatively affected by large amounts of mud and water emitted from the drilled wells.
It is also vital to mention that the fracking process as a whole consumes a lot of water. The latter challenge is worsened in regions that are arid and semi-arid.
Volatile organic compounds are released through the fissures when natural gas is being extracted. Methane is also another toxic gas liberate in the process. The gaseous emissions are known to cause quite a number of health complications such as respiratory diseases and lung problems. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes towards the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases have been blamed for global warming and climate change. Methane has been scientifically proven to be more harmful than carbon dioxide. The drilling operations cause a lot of diesel fumes, vibration, and noise pollution within the immediate environment. Fracking has equally been associated with localized earthquakes in some mining regions.
Evidence of community impacts
The Colorado community is one of the Canadian communities adversely affected by fracking in the region. The community has formed a local campaign group known as the Local Control Colorado in order to champion the health and environmental effects of fracking (The Council of Canadians, 2014). Evidence suggests that several personal and community properties have been destroyed by immense vibrations near residential and commercial areas. Worse still, immense noise pollution and respiratory problems have affected the Colorado community. Due to these concerns, the local community in Colorado has presented its grievance to the Legislative Council of Colorado. The group is demanding the current constitution to be amended so that the local community can have a stake in either allowing or preventing hydraulic fracturing in their area. A total of 86,000 signatures will have to be collected by the Local Control Colorado once the grievance is accepted.
Response from the fracking industry representatives
Longmont, Lafayette, and Fort Collins have been sued by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. This follows an earlier vote to prevent fracking by a section of the Colorado community. The state money will also be used to facilitate a judicial process against Longmont. Using money from the public coffers has been authorized by Governor Hickenlooper (The Council of Canadians, 2014).
Summation policy position
After weighing up the evidence for fracking, it is imperative to mention that hydraulic fracturing is indeed a viable energy option for Canada. From the economic benefits discussed above, Canada will continue to boost both its local and national economy by embracing the fracking process of extracting natural gas (Davis & Hoffer, 2012). For example, the hydraulic fracturing process has significantly enhanced energy security in Canada. Employment creation and upward growth in the balance of payment and trade have also been witnessed ever since the fracking process was intensified.
On the other hand, quite a number of local communities have ganged up to protest fracking activities. In spite of the isolated protests from some local communities, the idea behind hydraulic fracturing has not been completely rejected. Local residents are only demanding to have some level of control before such mining sites are set up and also during the period when the mining plants are operational. As much as there are genuine concerns from local communities, the economic benefits of setting up fracking plants outweigh the health and environmental concerns.
From the above summation of pertinent issues surrounding the fracking debate, it can be concluded that the process should be allowed as an alternative source of harnessing energy in Canada (Davis & Hoffer, 2012). The health and environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing can be minimized by taking certain precautions before and during the operations of such mining plants. For example, mining sites should not be located near residential areas. When it is inevitable to locate such mining plants away from residential sites, individuals residing in those areas can be relocated and compensated accordingly.
References
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (2014). Shale Gas. Web.
Davis, C., & Hoffer, K. (2012). Federalizing energy? Agenda change and the politics of fracking. Policy Sciences, 45(3), 221-241. Web.
Goodine, C. (2011). Fracking controversy: Rethinking the low-carbon label for natural gas. Web.
The Council of Canadians (2014). Fracking. Web.