What The Frack Is Fracking?

FRACKING aka “hydraulic fracturing” is a more intensive method* of oil and gas extraction used when primary processes of extraction cannot fully access the resources.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which a liquid mixture (typically inc. water, sand, or other materials known as “proppants”) is injected at high pressures into an oil/gas well, in order to fracture the reservoir. These fractures allow oil or gas to flow more freely, increasing the yield.

other types of these more intensive extractions include acid well stimulation treatments, and cyclic-steam operations which are also dangerous

Environmental Effects of Fracking

While the effects range widely depending on method, the impacts of these practices can include:
air pollution
surface and groundwater contamination
an increase in earthquakes and seismic activity
spillage of oil or contaminated wastewater
* methane release into atmosphere

Health Effects of Fracking

Oil extraction can cause extremely harmful health effects, or worsen ongoing health complications. The majority of oil and gas operations take place in areas already impacted by poor air quality, meaning fracking pollution can result in dangerously high levels of:

  • nitrogen oxides
  • volatile organic compounds (inc. BTEX chemicals)
  • fine particulates

These pollutants have well-established links to cancer, heart disease, endocrine disruption, adverse reproductive outcomes, and increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and premature death.

These often life-threatening health complications are far worse for those communities directly near oil and gas production. Studies in both California and in other states show a correlation between the distance a community resides near a well and increased rates of birth defects, premature birth, and low birth weights. Further, asthma rates increase closer to an active well, as do hospitalizations for heart failure, fatigue, stress, and other serious health complications.

The communities exposed to the chemicals, pollution and other detriments of oil and gas production are
largely low-income, communities of color.

Economic Effects of Fracking

These extraction methods also utilize an enormous amount of water, which is an increasingly precious resource. In 2014 in California, with hydraulic fracturing alone, oil producers used nearly 70 million gallons of water. This water was desperately needed during the extreme drought in 2015 that cost roughly $2.7 billion and killed 20,000 agriculture-related jobs.

The water used for fracking is likely to never re-enter the water cycle due to the contamination these practices cause. Water prices will only continue to rise due to competition from oil producers as our
water supply becomes scarcer.

The Solution?

California Legislators have written a bill, SB467, that would:

  • prohibit the issuance or renewal of permits to conduct these intensive oil & gas extraction methods beginning 2022
  • prohibit new or repeated use of these activities except as conducted with a permit lawfully issued before 2022
  • prohibit all use of these intensive extraction methods beginning 2027
  • require a health protection zone of 2,500 feet around residential areas, education facilities, healthcare, and long-term care facilities
    offer incentives to prioritize the hiring of oil and gas workers who have lost their jobs

Tell Your Legislator to Vote YES on SB 467!

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The month of March is Public Lands Month, and we’ve got some big goals. We’re pushing for 5 national monument designations while fighting for clean water, Indigenous land protection, ecosystem conservation, and increasing access to nature. 

But we need your help to make these campaigns a success →