(Part 6) More Oil Equals More Environmental Concerns
One of the biggest issues concerning the oil boom in North Dakota is impact of fracking on the environment. While it is very clear that the economies in towns where there is an oil boom are also growing tremendously, the reality is no one is certain what kind of damage or the extent of environmental damage the industry has on the environment in the long term. This is a big concern for some.
The main technology used in oil mining in the United States is hydraulic fracking. The process involves pumping large amounts of water mixed with chemicals into the ground to fracture rocks. Environmental advocates are concerned about the possible contamination of ground water as well as the depletion of fresh water in the oil towns. There are also those who are concerned about the potential of oil mining to trigger earthquakes. A few concerns are immediate such as noise pollution and air pollution.
The growth in the oil industry has also brought about growth in the oilfield remediation industry. Companies are trying to ensure that the impacts of the oil industry on the environment are minimal. By ensuring that potential downsides are addressed even before they become major problems, the oil industry is also ensuring its own long term viability.
Terry Smeader
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Tags: Environmental, oil and gas
