Hydraulic fracturing, also commonly called fracking, is a type of drilling for natural gas and oil that began in the 1940s. In the early days, when a well was slowing down, dynamite or TNT was placed inside the wellhead and detonated to help the flow of gas and oil by expanding the natural cracks and veins in the ground. This fracking method was widely used for nearly fifty years in the United States until the easy-to-extract and profitable oil was almost completely exploited. A new form of hydraulic fracking was created in the early 1990s to help capture the less available oil and gas reserves remaining in the United States. The current fracking method begins by drilling a vertical well lined with several layers of tubing and an outer layer of concrete to a depth of 10,000 feet. After reaching the appropriate vertical length, a horizontal tree is cut from the vertical tree which can stretch up to a mile in length. A mixture of sand, water and chemicals is injected into the well, fracturing the shale formations and releasing pockets of oil and natural gas. The water is brought back to the surface where the gas and oil are separated. The problem many people have with fracking is the possible side effects of the chemicals used and water contamination. Using fracking helps America achieve energy independence, economic benefits, and a bridge to a clean energy source; fracking should be expanded in the United States. The immediate impact of hydraulic fracking is the economic gain from drilling. With so much money involved in diesel fuel, all Americans see a profit. From landowners to the owner of a local restaurant and even families far from drilling sites, everyone and...... middle of paper ......n gas fracturing, also known as gas fracking, have taken most of the dangers from traditional fracking. Gas fracturing is achieved by creating a gel made of propane mixed with traditional fracturing chemicals that is injected into the well; subsequently the gel transforms into vapor due to the heat and pressure, leading to the collection of only natural gas (Nearing). Leaving water out of the drilling process prevents radioactive material, salt and drilling chemicals from rising to the surface and polluting groundwater and surface soil. Using gas fracking also has the added benefit of using only 25% of the amount of truck trips, further reducing emissions and oil consumption. The problem of methane leaks is easily contained with adequate concrete and steel piping to trap latent leaks and should never occur if wells are constructed and maintained properly.