1. FRACKING – AN OVERVIEW
Al Rosenfield
Energy Specialist
League of Women Voters of Ohio
alanpeg@alum.mit.edu
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2.BACKGROUND – LWVO WEB SITE
Go to http://lwvohio.org/, Click on “Issues and Advocacy”, then click on “Fracking” on the drop-down menu.
Why Fracking by Al Rosenfield
Fracking: An Issue Brief for LWVO Members by Kristin Vessey
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3. Fracking is a NECESSARY Evil
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4. USES OF NATURAL GAS
About one-third share each
* Generating electricity -rising
* Industrial applications – rising
* Residential plus Commercial – steady
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5. CONSERVATION
Residential & Commercial Heating
Energy-efficient Electrical Equipment
Industrial Efficiency Gains
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6. ELECTRICITY GENERATION
Fossil fuels – about 70%, unchanged from 1999
Non-Greenhouse Gas Generators
Nuclear – 20%
Renewables – about 12%
Hydroelectric – about 8%
Wind, etc. – about 5%
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7. ELECTRICITY- FUTURE PROSPECTS
• NUCLEAR – Current decline; later recovery?
• RENEWABLES – May double in 10 – 15 years
* FOSSIL FUELS – Will likely maintain dominant position for foreseeable future
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8. WHY FRACKING
• The alternative of natural gas for electricity is coal
• Gas is probably cleaner than coal
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9. Fracking is a Necessary EVIL
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10. FRACKING RELEASES NOXIOUS AND UNSAFE MATERIALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT
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11. FRACKING PROBLEMS
• ENVIRONMENTAL (Pollution from noxious and volatile chemicals, Excessive noise)
• INFRASTRUCTURE (Damage to water supply, Damage to roads)
• LOCATION (Proximity to homes, schools, hospitals, etc., Proximity to earthquake faults)
• BOOM and BUST Economy
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12. OBSTACLES TO FRACKING CONTROL
• Lack of local control
nbsp; Lack of citizen input into decision making
Industry historically insensitive to the environment
Industry secretive
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13. THE DILEMMA
• Advocates argue economics
• Opponents argue environment
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14. LWVUS RESOLUTION (2010)
“(S)upport and lobby for significant strengthening of appropriate regulation, oversight, inspection,
and penalties associated with the development of fossil fuel resources.”
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15. BASIS FOR ADVOCACY
Fracking needs to be done with proper attention to public health and safety
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16. LWVO ADVOCACY
• Siting (Locations of operations away from critical areas)
• Regulation (More complete testing and analysis)
• Public Input/Awareness
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17. EXAMPLE LWVO ACTIVITIES
Federal: Nuclear Regulatory Commission letter – radioactive material disposal questions
State: Legislative Testimony
Local: E-Mail Distribution
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18. WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
• Fracking will continue
• Opposition will continue
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