Fracking a Controversial Issue

San Diego, CAAs in other states, the issue of California fracking (also known as hydraulic fracturing) is a contentious and controversial issue. On the one hand, corporations say fracking is an effective way to get natural gas and petroleum from source rocks. On the other hand, environmentalists are concerned about the effect of California hydraulic fracturing on the environment while nearby residents are concerned about the effects of fracking on their drinking water and ground water.

In California, environmentalists filed a lawsuit against the state itself, alleging regulators did not adequately ensure that companies responsible for hydraulic fracturing followed environmental laws. The lawsuit, which was filed by five environmental groups, alleges the California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources did not require companies involved in fracking to complete an environmental impact report. According to the lawsuit, this is a violation of the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires organizations involved in major construction projects to analyze and asses the effects of their project on the environment and how they will lessen any negative effects.

According to the Los Angeles Times (12/05/12), California does not have any regulations requiring hydraulic fracturing companies to report the chemicals they inject into the rock or where fracking occurs.

Hydraulic fracturing uses high-pressure water and chemicals to break-up rock underground, releasing oil and gas. Few studies have been done to assess the environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing on the surrounding ground water and drinking water, particularly because of the chemicals used in fracking. Furthermore, to inject high-pressure water into the rocks, large amounts of water are likely needed, further affecting nearby water sources.

Regulators in California have agreed to draft regulations to oversee fracking, but it is not yet clear how tightly they will regulate the procedure. California could become the next major site for hydraulic fracturing. According to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Monterey/Santos formation in California is estimated to hold 15.4 billion barrels of shale oil, or 64 percent of total shale oil resources. The next largest have just over 3 billion barrels of shale oil.

As the number of fracking sites increases, so will concerns about the effects of fracking on the environment, the water and residents' health.