Hydraulic fracturing has recently become a "hot topic" among energy companies and the green community both nationally and globally. Hydraulic fracturing is a method of extracting fossil fuels. This is done by injecting fluid into the ground at high pressures to fracture the reservoir rocks and release the oil or gas inside. Hydraulic fracturing is believed to have the potential to increase US domestic energy production and change global energy markets. But some don't believe it's all it seems. Environmental advocates warn that the potential risks of the fracking process have not been fully evaluated and may not be worth the risk. Others argue that hydraulic fracturing brings nothing but benefits and economic resources. To understand and decide my view on hydraulic fracturing, I will consider the process, history, pros and cons. To further understand hydraulic fracturing, I will examine the process by which it occurs. Energy companies drilled only for the natural gas that flowed freely from gas wells. Now, easy-to-extract gas is no longer as plentiful as it once was. Fracking is certainly not a new method, but its use is expanding rapidly. Despite countless media reports, fracking is not a drilling process. Fracture occurs after the hole is completed. It takes 1-8 million gallons of water to complete each fracturing job. Water is mixed with sand and chemicals to create the fracturing fluid. Approximately 40,000 gallons of this fluid are used for each fracturing operation. Up to 600 chemicals are used in fracturing fluid, including known carcinogens and toxins such as: lead, uranium, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid. The fracking fluid is then pressure injected into the ground through the perforated pipeline. T...... half of the document ......uring seems to abolish some of the concerns against fracking. According to many EPA studies, hydraulic fracturing does not contaminate water supplies. Therefore, reports of fire or contamination may not be accurate. Therefore, fracturing is not a danger to human health. This leaves the concern of massive water consumption. I did not find sufficient information to demonstrate that this concern was not substantial. I believe the benefits of hydraulic fracturing outweigh the massive water consumption. This is because water is sometimes reused or repurposed. I believe the highly contentious debate over fracking may be the result of Gasland and the media. Hydraulic fracturing certainly has a long history, and while it may be difficult for challengers to accept, it is a history that puts concerns to rest and demonstrates the robust economic and resource benefits.