You already have the outline and we’ve already discussed the details.You’ll write a pursauvsive essay based on the full sentene outline. The essay will need more detail than the outline, and will involve a little research. Doesn’t have to be super professional but there has to be some numbers/names/evidence. Like I said, doesn’t have to be perfect, just not plagurized. Don’t worry about internal citations unless you direct qoute our use stats (so at least a few). I don’t need it until 6 MST on Sunday, but you’ve agreed to have it finished tonight at some point. 21 June 2013. Just as long as you can get it to me by 6 (1800) mst we’re good.
Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing and its effect on the economy and environment
Specific purpose for this speech: To persuade the audience to accept and support gas fracturing to harvest gas
Central idea: As a nation the United States needs to take steps to discover alternate sources of energy. With our growing demand for all types of energy and dependence on foreign sources of energy, natural gas fracturing can bring revenue and independence from our energy concerns.
Introduction
I. Attention Material
A. The economy has benefited by a process known as hydraulic fracturing or simply “fracking,” since the year 1947. The process starts with drilling beneath the surface to extract natural gas that is located within the rocks. Water, along with other components is released beneath the surface which fractures (fracks) the deep rock to create the passage for the gas to reach the surface. Once the gas has reached the surface it enters the wells that were created for collection. From there the gas is ready to be potted and sold.
B. With the current turmoil in the Persian Gulf, and the amount of energy the United States consumes, we’re quickly running running out of fossil fuels. Our dependence on foreign energy can be significantly reduced if natural gas can be harnessed as a primary energy source.
C. With all the rise in hydraulic fracturing harvesting plants, several job opportunities have become available for Americans. Job opportunities started rising as drilling and fracking of the natural gas became more common. Job creation is key to avoiding economic failure. States that currently allow facking are reporting revenue gains in the millions and billions of dollars.
D. While we agree that natural gas fracking and the environmental regulations should be more strictly regulated, it is not as harmful to the environment as some would make you believe. States are already taking measures to ensure the environment and communities are protected. With such regulations in place and further measures taking shape, the benefits of gas fracking far outweigh the risks.
I. Thesis (Conclusion): The process of hydraulic fracturing in the current economy has become more refined, the jobs and income it brings provide a myriad of opportunities. Crucial independence from foreign imported energy. While some tout this process as harmful and damaging, it’s actually regulated, and multiple studies by government agencies have been done. Fracking is the energy of the future.
II. Preview of Main Points: Today we will discuss how a new energy resource has become available, along with the job opportunities, and how hydraulic fracturing is less harmful then oil drilling itself. The basics of hydraulic fracturing have already been discussed, so we will move into detail on how this process is beneficial.
Body:
I. The need for a new energy source, and independence from foreign energy
A. Our energy consumption
1. Oil is our largest source of energy, it provides for approximately 1/3 or our total energy consumption.
B. Replacing oil with natural gas
1. Natural gas is an abundant resource throughout the United States and would lower transportation costs for energy resources.
C. Dependence on foreign energy
1. The United States would not be at the mercy of other countries because of a dependence on foreign oil, this would allow foreign policy to be negotiated without having to consider oil supplies.
(Transition): Using natural gas can provide a new source of clean burning energy. A new energy source is crucial to rid our dependence from foreign oil. Our dependence on oil has created turmoil in recent years, and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge feels, “The more natural gas the United States extracts from shale rock, the safer the country will be.” Many people feel that the United States is willing to accept certain behaviors internationally as a result of our foreign oil dependence. This will also create jobs and generate income.
II. The income and job generation.
A. Income generated in eastern states tops 1 Billion Dollars
1. If the United States were to focus on the energy source of natural gas within the borders of the United States it would allow for more American’s to be employed in the industry and keep more of our energy dollars within our own country.
B. Job Generation
1. More than 72,000 gas jobs have been filled since 2009, many due to the increase in horizontal drilling and fracking for natural gas, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
C. The boom in harvesting plants over the last 20 years.
1. The increase in harvesting plants has already created thousands of jobs in the past twenty years that have allowed workers that were losing jobs in other industries to become employed in this growing field; this trend could continue indefinitely.
(Transition) These facts prove these hydraulic fracturing plants will generate billions in revenue, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Jobs and revenue crucial to the future economic success of America.
III. While stricter regulations are needed, government and lawmakers have established environmental standards, which are regulated.
A. Safe Drinking Water Act and EPA study
1. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 0f 1974 was created to protect the quality of public drinking water. With gas fracking, and ground water contamination being a main concern the environmental protection agency conducted a study. The study to determine the dangers of gas fracking concluded that hydraulic fracturing, poses little or no threat to underground sources of drinking water. Though these findings were disputed.
B. Chemicals and public disclosure
1. In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). The community right to know provisions of the EPCRA are the most relevant part of the law for shale gas producers. Activists against Gas fracking will try and tell you that “frackers” are not disclosing this information, however, shale gas production facilities do not normally store the dangerous materials required to be reported by the EPCRA. With the exception being Hydrochloric acid (a weaker acids in the case of acids), and only then the HCl is stored for a few days at a time.
C. States are already taking steps to provide tougher regulations
1. According to the Associated Press, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the nation’s strictest regulations into law on June 17, 2013. The Governor stated the law will, “unlock the potential” for thousands of jobs while protecting the environment. This law has been touted as a potential model for other states.
Conclusion
I. Review of Key Points
A. Today we spoke with you about the critical need for a new energy source, which will bring with it independence from foreign oil. The amount of revenue, and the jobs that these fracturing operations will provide will be invaluable to future economic success. While we agree the environmental regulations should be more boldly defined and tighter, the fact remains that natural gas fracking is still safer and cleaner than oil.
II. Clincher
A. Gas fracking would make the United State more independent again.
B. Gas fracking would create hundreds of thousands of jobs for American workers and help the homeland economy.
C. Gas fracking could and would be highly regulated to make it just as safe as other energy sources in the United States at a lower opportunity cost of Americans.
Bibliography
[ ] McGlynn, D. (2011, December 16). Fracking controversy. CQ Researcher,21, 1049-1072. Retrieved from
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/
[ ] Weeks, J. (2012, June 22). U.S. oil dependence. CQ Researcher, 22, 549-572. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
[ ] Press, Associated. “Illinois Gov. Signs Tough Fracking Regulations Law.” Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 17 June 2013. Web. 19 June 2013.
[ ]Dobb, Edwin. “Bakken Shale Oil.” The New Oil Landscape. National Geographic, Mar. 2013. Web. 19 June 2013.
[ ]Heimer, Alyson C. “Fracking.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Environmental Health. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2013. 346-348. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 19 June 2013.
[ ]”What Is Fracking.” What Is Fracking. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013.
[ ] Brady, William J., Professor. Hydraulic Fracturing Regulation in the United States: The Laissez-Faire Approach of the Federal Government and Varying State Regulations.
Www.grimshawharring.com
. University of Denver, n.d. Web. 20 June 2013.
[ ] “Chemicals & Public Disclosure.” FracFocus Chemical Disclosure Registry. Ground Water Protection Council, n.d. Web. 20 June 2013.
Dyhouse, Tim. “Dependence on Foreign Oil Threatens U.S. Energy Security.” VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine 04 2010: 10. ProQuest. 21 June 2013 .
KIHSS, PETER. “NATURAL GAS REPORTED REPLACING OIL IN ‘ENERGY MIX’ IN NEW YORK.” New York Times Mar 22 1981 ProQuest. 21 June 2013 .
