One student uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as facts to support fracking in Ohio.
In response to an Oct. 8th column, “Global Warnings: Future environmentalists should not be afraid to make mistakes,” here is another activity we can all support that is good for the environment and helps our economy, too.
Fracking.
Yes, thanks to fracking, America is unlocking our abundant domestic energy reserves, delivering real economic and environmental benefits from cleaner air to cheaper gas and an American manufacturing revival.
Here in Southeast Ohio, we are at the tip of the spear, leading the development of clean-burning natural gas. All Ohioans, and our environment, too, benefit from fracking. Our air quality is improving as clean-burning natural gas has resulted in America’s power sector CO2 emissions reaching 27-year lows, according to government data. Also, the EPA just released new data that shows methane emissions from hydraulic fracturing have fallen 81 percent since 2012.
Further, in a landmark, multi-year study, the EPA concluded that fracking does not harm groundwater resources either. In fact, President Obama, with whom I rarely agree, is right when he said America’s abundant natural gas resources can provide safe, cheap power (and) help reduce our carbon emissions.
Ohio has been responsibly developing its natural resources for more than a century, including on public and private lands, and it is vital that we continue to do so. Go ahead and recycle, bike, drive a CNG-powered car and support American energy development, too, because we can thank fracking for cleaner air and a stronger economy.
Sara Nolan is a sophomore studying political science.
