This Storify chronicles the ongoing scientific investigation and debate at the front lines of battle over fracking. For the latest, updated weekly, skip to the bottom of the file.
- The debate over whether fracturing deep shale layers to release natural gas has reached fever pitch in the U.S., and scientists are speaking out. Using chemicals and water to crack a shale layer once, far below ground, to liberate gas may pose little risk to drinking water supplies near the surface. But fracking the layer multiple times from one well site, which is common, raises the chance that drinking water could be contaminated.
Writer Chris Mooney reveals the scientific evidence for and against claims about the dangers of fracking in his November feature article in Scientific American. But the debate is ongoing. Furthermore, regulators in New York--at the epicenter of argument--are expected by December to lift an existing ban and allow fracking under certain rules, which are currently open to public comment. Test results about potential contamination are also due from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2012.
To bring you the latest news and views, I've started this Storify document. It will update scientific findings, regulatory moves and political decisions that could make or break fracking's future. Come back each week to see the latest.
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