Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic Fracturing: An Inconvenient Truth
Carolyn Yanoti and Florian Muller
I6068325, I6078618
December 5, 2013
Workshop Paper Assignment
Final Version
Professor Julia Quartz
As America looks to find the best source of energy at hand domestically, the use of hydraulic fracturing proves to be the best response. Hydraulic fracturing is more commonly known as fracking, is the process where natural gas is extracted from shale rock areas deep within the earth. In the US, an estimated total of 1.44 quadrillion cubic feet of shale gas is accessible with this technology. In 2012, 32 states hosted natural gas drillers, with an extensive tendency. In the same year, 24 states considered 127 bills which were dealing with hydraulic fracturing, including regulatory laws in seven states and a ban of hydraulic fracturing in Vermont. More regulatory laws are likely to be enacted, as the opposition to fracking increases (N/A, 2013). This technology has created controversies in the United States over the cost benefits of risks as well as the uncertainties that may result in an unforeseen future. Using a social constructivist approach we will be able to uncover how these controversies are constructed and what actors make up each side of the debate. Understanding how American society perceives risks and uncertainties, as well as how actors from the fracking industry frame their debate, is shown through the use of boundary work. This leads us to our question; is boundary work a sufficient tool to analyze the controversy of hydraulic fracturing? In order to find an answer to this we must understand how both sides of the debate construct their views of risk and uncertainty which will be assisted through Becks theory of risk society. Through this theory, the relevance between hydraulic fracturing and global development exists through the modernization of society. According to Beck, “This concept describes a phase of development of modern society in
Carolyn Yanoti and Florian Muller
I6068325, I6078618
December 5, 2013
Workshop Paper Assignment
Final Version
Professor Julia Quartz
As America looks to find the best source of energy at hand domestically, the use of hydraulic fracturing proves to be the best response. Hydraulic fracturing is more commonly known as fracking, is the process where natural gas is extracted from shale rock areas deep within the earth. In the US, an estimated total of 1.44 quadrillion cubic feet of shale gas is accessible with this technology. In 2012, 32 states hosted natural gas drillers, with an extensive tendency. In the same year, 24 states considered 127 bills which were dealing with hydraulic fracturing, including regulatory laws in seven states and a ban of hydraulic fracturing in Vermont. More regulatory laws are likely to be enacted, as the opposition to fracking increases (N/A, 2013). This technology has created controversies in the United States over the cost benefits of risks as well as the uncertainties that may result in an unforeseen future. Using a social constructivist approach we will be able to uncover how these controversies are constructed and what actors make up each side of the debate. Understanding how American society perceives risks and uncertainties, as well as how actors from the fracking industry frame their debate, is shown through the use of boundary work. This leads us to our question; is boundary work a sufficient tool to analyze the controversy of hydraulic fracturing? In order to find an answer to this we must understand how both sides of the debate construct their views of risk and uncertainty which will be assisted through Becks theory of risk society. Through this theory, the relevance between hydraulic fracturing and global development exists through the modernization of society. According to Beck, “This concept describes a phase of development of modern society in
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