No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom Is Doing More Harm Than Good

Topics: Energy, Environment, Science, U.S.

Public Release Date: July 01, 2012

Natural gas, touted for its environmental, economic, and national security benefits, is often thought of as the fuel that will “bridge” our transition from oil and coal to renewables. The ability to extract natural gas from shale formations through a method called hydraulic fracturing has unleashed vast, untapped sources—by some estimates, the U.S. now sits on a 100-year supply. But contamination from toxic chemicals used in the fracking process has been the source of increasing health and environmental concerns.

Can natural gas be part of a clean energy solution, or is it a dangerous roadblock to a fossil-free future?

ARGUING YES:

• Deborah Goldberg: Managing Attorney at Earthjustice

• Katherine Hudson: Watershed Program Director at Riverkeeper

ARGUING NO:

• Joe Nocera: Columnist for Bloomberg View, Co-Author of ‘Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion’

• Sue Tierney: Managing Principal at Analysis Group, Former Assistant Secretary for Policy at U.S. Department of Energy

MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:

• John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist