| Description |
xviii, 340 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Series |
Contemporary world issues |
|
Contemporary world issues.
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| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
1. Background and history : The genesis of fossil fuels ; Oil and gas resources ; Exploring for oil and gas ; Drilling technology ; Petroleum chemistry ; A brief history of petroleum exploration ; The petroleum century ; The natural gas century ; Hydraulic fracturing -- 2. Problems, controversies, and solutions : Peak oil and gas: still a looming threat or only a distant fantasy! ; Energy independence for the United States ; Benefits of fracking ; Opposition to fracking ; Problems associated with hydraulic fracturing ; Laws and regulations -- 3. Perspectives : Separating fact from hype / Trudy E. Bell ; Why fracking is beneficial / Bruce Everett ; The urgent need for global definition of terms in the reporting on fracking and seismic activity / Gina Hagler ; Fracking and the future of fresh water / Michael Pastorkovich ; Fracking by the numbers / John Rumpler ; Exploring alternative uses for fracking water / Lana Straub ; Fracking like it's your job: why worker safety in the fracking industry is so important / Laura Walter ; Feeding the fracking workforce: how worker nutrition supports health, safety and productivity / Christopher Wanjek -- 4. Profiles : American Gas Association ; American Petroleum Institute ; America's Natural Gas Alliance ; Chesapeake Climate Action Network ; Consumer Energy Alliance ; H. John Eastman (1905-1985) ; Terry Engelder ; Environment America ; Food & Water Watch ; Ground Water Protection Council ; Erle P. Halliburton (1892-1957) ; William Hart (1797-1865) ; Independent Petroleum Association of America ; Anthony R. Ingraffea (1947-) ; International Energy Agency ; Interstate Natural Gas Association of America ; Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission ; E. W. Marland (1874-1941) ; Aubrey McClendon (1959-) ; George Mitchell (1919-2013) ; The National Association of Royalty Owners ; No Fracked Gas in Mass ; Edward A. L. Roberts (1829-1881) ; The Endocrine Disruption Exchange ; Tom L. Ward (1959-) ; Waterkeeper Aliance -- 5. Data and documents : Data ; Documents -- 6. Resources for further research -- Chronology. |
| Summary |
Hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells -- known commonly as "fracking" -- has been in use in the United States for more than half a century. In recent years, however, massive expansion of shale gas fracturing across the nation has put fracking in the public eye. Is fracking a "win win" like its proponents say, or are there significant costs and dangers associated with the use of this energy production technology? This book examines fracking from all angles, addressing the promise of the United States becoming energy independent through the use of the process to tap the massive amounts of natural gas and oil available as well as the host of problems associated with fracking -- groundwater contamination and increased seismic activity, just to mention two -- that raise questions about the long-term feasibility of the process as a source of natural gas. The first part of the book provides a historical background of the topic; a review of technical information about fracking; and a detailed discussion of the social, economic, political, legal, and other aspects of the current fracking controversy. The second part of the book provides a host of resources for readers seeking to learn even more in-depth information about the topic, supplying a chronology, glossary, annotated bibliography, and profiles of important individuals and organizations. Written specifically for students and young adults, the content is accessible to readers with little or no previous knowledge regarding fracking. |
| Subject |
Hydraulic fracturing -- Environmental aspects.
|
|
Gas well drilling -- Environmental aspects.
|
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Hydraulic fracturing -- Government policy -- United States.
|
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Fracking. (DE-588)4228013-8
|
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United States. (DE-588)4078704-7
|
| ISBN |
9781610696913 (hardback : acid-free paper) |
|
1610696913 (hardback : acid-free paper) |
|
9781610696920 (ebook) |
| Standard No. |
12074612 |
|
