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| − | '''Fracking''', which is short for hydraulic fracturing, is a process for extracting [[natural gas]] and sometimes [[oil]] from non-porous underground structures, such as shale rock. | + | '''Fracking''', which is short for hydraulic fracturing, is a process for extracting [[natural gas]] and sometimes [[oil]] from non-porous underground structures, such as shale rock. [[Democrat]] President [[Joe Biden]] seeks to ban all new fracking nationwide, and [[Bernie Sanders]] wants a complete ban on all fracking. |
| | + | {{cquote|Researchers predict [Pennsylvania] would lose roughly 609,000 jobs and $261 billion in gross domestic product by 2025 if lawmakers were to issue an outright ban on fracking. The average Pennsylvania consumer would see his cost of living increase by $4,654, while household income would decrease by $114 billion by 2025, according to the study [by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce].<ref>https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191220/study-fracking-ban-would-hurt-pennsylvania-economy</ref>}} |
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| | + | In 2019, [[Britain]] imposed a moratorium on fracking for shale gas, which Britain lifted in 2022 amid skyrocketing [[energy]] costs.<ref name="news">https://www.aol.com/news/britain-lifts-ban-fracking-shale-081030282-101953694.html</ref> The British government has been subsidizing homes and businesses for energy use at a growing rate of more than $113 billion.<ref name="news"/> |
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| | Prior to 1980, the production and development of oil and gas came from wells that were drilled vertically. As the wells were drilled core samples were examined to determine what type of rock layers were at various depths. Some layers had porous rock such as [[sandstone]] while other layers were very dense. Because oil and gas can seep through porous rock, the well was completed in the layers which were porous, and the sides of the wells between completion locations were protected by long sections of metal pipe, called the well casing. In order to prevent materials from traveling between the casing and the rock up or down the well, the drilling company typically poured cement into the gap between the casing pipe and the outer diameter of the well bore. | | Prior to 1980, the production and development of oil and gas came from wells that were drilled vertically. As the wells were drilled core samples were examined to determine what type of rock layers were at various depths. Some layers had porous rock such as [[sandstone]] while other layers were very dense. Because oil and gas can seep through porous rock, the well was completed in the layers which were porous, and the sides of the wells between completion locations were protected by long sections of metal pipe, called the well casing. In order to prevent materials from traveling between the casing and the rock up or down the well, the drilling company typically poured cement into the gap between the casing pipe and the outer diameter of the well bore. |
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| | 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> |
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| − | In Colorado, two towns enacted fracking bans, which were overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://insideenergy.org/2016/05/02/co-supreme-court-strikes-down-local-fracking-bans/|title=CO Supreme Court Strikes Down Local Fracking Bans|first=Dan |last=Boyce |date= May 2, 2016|accessdate=May 4, 2016}}</ref> | + | In Colorado, two towns enacted fracking bans, which were overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://insideenergy.org/2016/05/02/co-supreme-court-strikes-down-local-fracking-bans/|title=CO Supreme Court Strikes Down Local Fracking Bans|first=Dan |last=Boyce |date= May 2, 2016|accessdate=May 4, 2016}}</ref> In [[Denton, Texas]] (somewhat of a liberal suburb due to the presence of two public universities), the city also enacted a fracking ban; the Texas Legislature then passed a state law overturning all such bans in the state. |
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| | ==Trade secrets== | | ==Trade secrets== |