Where do you stand on fracking?
In the energy sector, there are few topics that generate more debate today than the relative merits/demerits of fracking.聽 To see just how strongly-held yet evenly-divided opinion is, check out this聽聽moderated by聽聽and sponsored by聽.
The question is framed simply:聽 鈥淒o the benefits derived from shale gas outweigh the drawbacks of fracking?鈥澛� Writing in defense of the 鈥減ro鈥� position was聽, the Executive Director for Energy and Sustainability at the聽聽at the聽.聽 Writing in opposition was聽, the Executive Director of the聽.
The final tally of the debate:聽 51% voted 鈥淣o鈥�, while 49% voted 鈥淵es鈥�.
Honestly, I lean more towards the 鈥淵es鈥� side of the ledger.聽 While fracking raises significant concerns, I believe that they can be managed 鈥� though it鈥檚 up to us as engaged citizens to ensure that the powers-that-be fully hold accountable those who participate in fracking activities to the highest standards.聽
My hunch is that the beliefs and the numbers of the 鈥淣o鈥� side have been strongly influenced by films such as聽聽and the more-recent聽.聽 I confess that I haven鈥檛 seen either of them, and while I suspect that they have oversimplified complex issues and stretched the facts/truth to fit a convenient dramatic storyline (as so many movies do), it really is unfair for me to criticize them.聽 Even so, it鈥檚 clear that 鈥� other than the ever-dependable defender of all-things fossil fuels, Fox News 鈥� there are few 鈥減ro鈥�-fracking vehicles in mass-culture appealing to the middle-ground to provide a counterbalancing force from the seemingly-dominant message that fracking is dangerous and bad.
As a friend of mine likes to say about thorny political dilemmas:聽 鈥淚 have friends on both sides of this issue, and on this issue, I鈥檓 with my friends.鈥澛� With respect to fracking, this applies.
