Changes

Because this new technology allowed the production of gas from non-porous shale rocks that had previously been considered to be undesirable for oil and gas production, the supply of onshore gas increased and the market price for gas dropped.

Because this new technology allowed the production of gas from non-porous shale rocks that had previously been considered to be undesirable for oil and gas production, the supply of onshore gas increased and the market price for gas dropped.

At current prices, fracking provides a fuel for generating [[electricity]] that is cleaner and cheaper than [[coal]].  This lowers the amount of air pollution from making electricity.  However, some people argue that fracking also poses environmental risks.  First, some drillers do not properly dispose of the fracking fluid mixture after the well is done.  Second, people are now drilling wells in places that did not historically have oil and gas wells.  One of the first successful places which used fracking was the Barnett Shale near Ft Worth, Texas.  Wells were drilled from locations along the Trinity River near the downtown part of that city.  Third, some wells do not properly cement the gap between the well casing and the surrounding rock.  Historically, shale rock separated the rock layer that supplied water wells with drinking water from other porous layers that held oil and gas.  Without cement, and with more cracks in the shale layer, it is possible that some gas can travel into the rock layer holding the water and contaminate it.  Fear of drinking water contamination or destruction of natural land led some voters to argue that fracking should be banned.  The Obama Administration proposed regulation of fracking on federally-owned lands.  Producers argue that if the drilling contractors do their jobs properly, these forms of environmental damage can be avoided.

At current prices, fracking provides a fuel for generating [[electricity]] that is cleaner and cheaper than [[coal]].  This lowers the amount of air pollution from making electricity.  However, some people argue that fracking also poses environmental risks.  First, some drillers do not properly dispose of the fracking fluid mixture after the well is done.  Second, people are now drilling wells in places that did not historically have oil and gas wells.  One of the first successful places which used fracking was the Barnett Shale near Ft Worth, Texas.  Wells were drilled from locations along the Trinity River near the downtown part of that city.  Third, some wells do not properly cement the gap between the well casing and the surrounding rock.  Historically, shale rock separated the rock layer that supplied water wells with drinking water from other porous layers that held oil and gas.  Without cement, and with more cracks in the shale layer, it is possible that some gas can travel into the rock layer holding the water and contaminate it.  Fear of drinking water contamination or destruction of natural land led some voters to argue that fracking should be banned.  The Obama Administration proposed regulation of fracking on federally-owned lands.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/us/new-fracking-rule-is-issued-by-obama-administration.html?_r=0|title=New Proposal on Fracking Gives Ground to Industry|work=New York Times|date=May 4, 2012 |accessdate=March 18, 2014|first=John|last=Broder}}</ref> Producers argue that if the drilling contractors do their jobs properly, these forms of environmental damage can be avoided.

On March 18, 2014, a referendum on fracking in southern [[Illinois]] won in a landslide.  Fracking has brought prosperity to [[Pennsylvania]], where it is allowed, and is controversial in [[New York]] and [[New Jersey]], where it is banned by statewide moratoria and some local ordinances.<ref>[http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/19312259/article-Secaucus-bans-%E2%80%98fracking%E2%80%99-Local-officials-also-call-for-statewide-and-national-ban-?instance=special_coverage_bullets_right_column NJ city bans fracking]</ref>

On March 18, 2014, a referendum on fracking in southern [[Illinois]] won in a landslide.  Fracking has brought prosperity to [[Pennsylvania]], where it is allowed, and is controversial in [[New York]] and [[New Jersey]], where it is banned by statewide moratoria and some local ordinances.<ref>[http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/19312259/article-Secaucus-bans-%E2%80%98fracking%E2%80%99-Local-officials-also-call-for-statewide-and-national-ban-?instance=special_coverage_bullets_right_column NJ city bans fracking]</ref>