Fracking in Colorado: Environmental and Health Concerns
This paper examines the practice of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") and its environmental and public health consequences in Colorado. Beginning with an overview of how fracking works and the chemicals involved, the paper surveys documented water quality complaints from communities across the United States before focusing on specific Colorado controversies. Key issues include groundwater contamination near schools in Longmont, inadequate buffer-zone regulations, and the enormous volumes of water consumed by fracking operations in a state already facing water scarcity. The paper concludes by proposing local legislative action, increased setback distances, and a broader shift toward renewable energy sources as practical alternatives to continued reliance on fracking.
- Introduction to Hydraulic Fracturing: History and purpose of fracking in the U.S.
- How Fracking Works and Its Environmental Risks: Fracking mechanics, chemicals, and water quality complaints
- Colorado and Fracking Controversies: Longmont school contamination and setback distance debates
- Water Scarcity and Agricultural Impacts: Water consumption and drought concerns in Colorado
- Solutions and Conclusion: Local legislation and renewable energy as alternatives
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds abstract environmental concerns in concrete local examples — the Trail Ridge Middle School contamination case and the Aurora water-purchase dispute — making the argument accessible and persuasive.
- It uses a variety of credible sources, including government agencies (EPA), academic voices (Colorado Water Institute), advocacy organizations, and news outlets, lending breadth to its argument.
- Direct quotations from community stakeholders (residents, lawyers, water managers, and state senators) effectively humanize the policy debate.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of the problem-solution essay structure: it establishes the scope of a policy problem through layered evidence, then proposes actionable remedies. This technique is especially well-executed in the transition from documenting harms (water contamination, inadequate buffer zones) to advocating for ballot measures, stronger local ordinances, and renewable energy investment.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief introduction establishing fracking's history and scope, then moves into a section explaining the mechanics of the process and associated chemical hazards. The longest section addresses Colorado-specific controversies, covering school proximity, setback distances, and water usage. A focused subsection addresses the agricultural and drought implications of water consumption. The paper closes with a solution-oriented conclusion that ties local legislative action to a broader renewable energy argument.
Introduction to Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") is not a new approach to locating and extracting gas and oil in the United States. It has been used as a strategy since 1949, according to Earthworks, an environmental advocacy group. Fracking is a method oil and gas companies use to retrieve quantities of oil and gas trapped in shales, coalbed formations, and other underground areas that have previously been drilled. The environmental impacts of fracking can be significant, especially for neighborhoods and communities located near fracking projects. In Colorado, a number of controversies surround the process of fracking; this paper reviews those issues and proposes solutions.
Works Cited
Berwyn, Bob. (2012). Colorado: Battle lines drawn over fracking setbacks. Summit County Voice. Retrieved October 21, 2012, from http://summitcountyvoice.com.
Finley, Bruce. (2012). Fracking of wells puts big demand on Colorado water. The Denver Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012, from http://www.denverpost.com.
Hooper, Troy. (2012). Longmont, Colorado fracking: Residents seek permanent ban in city. Huffpost Green. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com.
Sumi, Lisa. (2005). Our drinking water at risk: What the EPA and the oil and gas industry don't want us to know about hydraulic fracturing. Oil and Gas Accountability Project. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://www.ogap.org.
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