Fossil fuel, generated mainly from #oil, coal, and natural gas, covers over 80 percent of America's primary electricity, transportation, and energy needs. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, is a process that usually includes the injection of high-pressure sand, water, and various chemicals into a rock layer foundation through a wellbore. Fracking is a significant contributor to gas and oil production, making up at least 60 percent of the total generation. It is is helping the United States become more self-reliant, as most Americans can agree we don't want to be reliant on Russia or Saudi Arabia for oil.
A report by the California Council on Science and Technology in 2015 indicates that since 2005, around 20 percent of the state's generated gas and oil was from fracking. While this portion is only from the 638 out of the 61,682 existing gas and oil wells in the state, as listed by California's energy regulator, the Department of Conservation, the industry generated around $36 billion in 2011. With these numbers, fracking is one of the key contributors to the state's economic activities, and it has provided a livelihood for many of its residents.
#Fracking, though, has been on the receiving end of criticism from environmentalists, citing the process could potentially pollute the water supply. Several studies also suggest that fracking for fuel impacts climate change due to the pollution brought by methane, and there's a greater risk of exposure to toxic chemicals, among others.
California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed the call for the ban of fracking. In September 2020, he vowed that he would push for the cessation of gas-fueled vehicles and end the state's fracking industry. The move has given the governor national exposure and put him in the leading position of the battle against climate change.
However, Newsom's proposal may not sound as easy due to several factors. This includes possible power outages and price increases. Additionally, as earlier mentioned, unemployment, a waning economy and potentially higher inflation rate could occur if the fracking industry was banned.
The prohibition of fracking would also mean that the energy stability will be at risk, with exportation also compromised. Consequently, manufacturing will also be affected, as plants rely heavily on cheaper fuel provided by fracking for their power needs.
While the fight against climate change is also crucial, there are options that don't necessarily have to compromise other issues at stake. The fracking industry, which continues to be a major contributor to the economy, employment, and energy resource, will be difficult to be taken out of the equation.
