Position Paper - CHEM 121 6380 Chemistry in the Modern World (2168)
Position Paper: To Frack or not to Frack
Imagine you are the administrator of the city or town where you currently reside. A rich deposit of shale oil has been recently discovered just outside of town and approximately 2000 feet below the surface of your community. As city administrator, you are charged with drafting a proposal to your city council outlining the pros and cons allowing an energy company to access the shale oil.
Examples of some questions to consider:
1. What are the benefits to the town? What will the impact of this be on the town's economy (i.e jobs, tax revenue, etc.? .
2. What are the hazards and potential harm that could permanently impact the town?
3. Write a 500 word position paper on the advantages or disadvantages of allowing an energy company to extract the shale oil.
- Among the things to consider are the cost benefits and the potential health hazards associated with the removal of the shale oil.
- Some issues you might consider in defining your position include resource recovery, pollution, and the potential concerns of local residents.
The paper should make a good case for the position you choose. As much as possible, try to incorporate some of the recently learned chemistry concepts (especially about water quality) and the potential impact of some the common shale oil removal techniques on the local and global environments (please research "shale oil extraction and its impact on the environment" and "shale oil and its impact on local economies" to get supportive information). This should include the proper references and follow the American Psychological Association (APA) guideline for writing papers.
Shale Oil
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/oil-shale/?ar_a=1
Shale Oil: The Next Energy Revolution
http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/oil-gas-energy/publications/shale-oil-changes-energy-markets.jhtml
Shale Oil and the Oil Price War
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/live-video-chat-can-the-us-shale-oil-industry-survive-price-war-2015-03-10
Fracking
http://shalestuff.com/education/fracking/fracking