Richard Heinberg and Fracking’s False Promise of Plenty

By Terrence McNally, originally published by Stories of a World That Might Just Work

December 4, 2013

NOTE: Images in this archived article have been removed.

Image RemovedWhat do you know about hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” of natural gas? Probably depends on who you’re listening to. The fossil fuel industry tells you it’s the biggest energy development of the century, which promises America energy independence for the US and a huge boost to our economy with benefits to local economies. Many of the communities themselves tell a different story – of pollution on the one hand and social disruption on the other.

For the spoils of success, I recommend an article in March 2013 Harpers, Where Broken Hearts Stand, Grief and Recovery on the Badlands of North Dakota by Richard Manning.

RICHARD HEINBERG has a new book, SNAKE OIL: How Fracking’s Promise of Plenty Imperils Our Future, looks at fracking from both economic and environmental perspectives, informed by the most thorough analysis of shale gas and oil drilling data ever undertaken.

Join us as I try to find out, Is fracking the miracle cure-all to our energy ills, or a costly distraction from the necessary work of reducing our fossil fuel dependence?

Terrence McNally

Tags: Fracking, Shale gas, Snake Oil, tight oil

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