SWOT analysis
Anti-Fracking
Strengths: Fracking has lead to harmful effects on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and can even cause man-made earthquakes. The fracking procedure can also leak methane gas (a harmful greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere, which is worse than burning coal. Private companies have no incentive to protect the environment and surrounding areas that they operate on; there have been incidents of tap water being contaminated from nearby fracking wells that have high levels of methane. Many of the chemicals used to frack are poisonous and could be catastrophic if they were leaked in a water supply. More than 15 million Americans have lived within a mile of a fracking operation and thus may experience negative effects of it.
Weaknesses: Since there are not many scientific studies of the long-term effects of fracking, it’s harder to make a strong scientific case against it. Our side must resort to anecdotal evidence of fracking gone wrong in some states. Also, wanting to outlaw fracking is an extreme position to start with, and the movement may be too polarizing to some individuals who’d be somewhere in the middle (wanting more regulation, but no ban). Fracking has been proven to create jobs in states that allow the procedure, and it’s hard to make the case for alternative energy when fracking is a new, advanced technology that is putting coal out of business.
Opportunities: In the month of September, Oklahoma has seen a rise in “man-made earthquakes” that have been triggered by oil well drilling activity. The state experienced its largest recorded earthquake, and scientists believe that the increase in these small earthquakes is strongly correlated with oil drilling from fracking locations. We now have evidence to show that the seismic activity in Oklahoma is having a direct impact because of fracking. Not only has it affected seismic activity around the country, but there have also been links to many health concerns among workers and those close to water sources that may be contaminated. These concerns have led towns to consider banning fracking to protect its citizens from these conditions. There is also opportunity this November with ballot initiatives across the nation that want to put restrictions on fracking. There is potential for the anti-fracking movement to gain support.
Threats: States are competing for natural gas and have strong incentives to frack. Fracking has expanded to many states in the midwest, west, and east. Also, Colorado’s ballot initiative was revoked due to a signature fraud scandal. If the initiatives to ban/regulate fracking fail in this country, it will be a negative sign that Americans are in favor of the use of fracking.
Pro-Fracking
Strengths: Many people view fracking as a great way to boost our economy. They believe that our reliance on foreign countries for oil is too dangerous. Right now, we rely on Saudi Arabia and Nigeria for almost all of our oil, with that said they are very unstable countries. Pro frackers want our country to be energy independent and not have to rely on unstable regions for oil. The last strength fracking poses is the many jobs it will create in our country. Fracking takes a lot of time and labor and for states that are using fracking now they have found their unemployment rates have lowered over time. This in turn relates to major economic growth, Fracking in 2011 made close to 36 billion dollars which in turn produces more money into our economy. Also, fracking is putting coal mining companies out of business and is replacing coal with natural gas, which is better for the environment and the air that we breathe.
Weaknesses: Fracking is a new industry with little known long-term effects of its damage to the environment. Man-made earthquakes have potential to do great harm, and fracking has lead to the pollution of bodies of water nearby oil wells. Another environmental impact is runoff into bodies of water, and land from fracking operations. Some of the procedures are complicated and are often unrecorded, so it’s hard to be transparent with the public.
Opportunities: One of the largest opportunities of fracking is the growth in jobs that it has the potential to create. Especially in an election year, where the economy and creation of jobs is not only a hot topic but also a hot commodity, the idea of a growing industry does strike interest. Because of this, politicians might be more willing to support fracking opportunities, especially with the incentive to create jobs. Just this past month in Colorado, anti-fracking measures failed to be put on the ballot, one of which included a proposal which would allow state governments the power to restrict fracking. This by default has the opportunity to open new doors for the pro-fracking community especially in a state like Colorado.
Threats: The problems going on in Oklahoma are alarming to the fracking community and may push away supporters. Fracking is a new technology, and a lot is unknown about its long-term effects on the environment. As more research continues to be published about fracking, there is always the chance that negative information will surface. Any findings that do reveal something negative about fracking has the ability to create doubt and skepticism within the electorate. This tied with the loud voice of the anti-fracking sector could prove to be a threat in the future.
To learn more about some of the pros and cons of the fracking industry check out the following resources:
Breaking News:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039d4cw (an interesting podcast on fracking in the UK)
Sources:
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