The debate regarding the pros and cons is starting to generate considerable heat in North Carolina. Jeez. 40 years worth of natural gas (if used domestically) vs. how many potential years of loss of safe water, not to mention other environmental concerns?

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10243004/

Have had some "interesting" conversations with my sister - a retired water resource engineer - retired from being a partner in a financially successful firm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She primarily dealt with municipal water and sewage treatment. Not unmindful of environmental concerns, but definitely has a bit of a corporate perspective, i.e., the gas resources are going to be exploited so we may as well promote policies that increase domestic consumption so that we benefit domestically. In her limited view, the environmental degradation is inevitable. If the USA is to experience the degradation, it should be off-set by reaping the benefits of natural gas production via fracking.   Currently, and for the near future, the domestic market for natural gas is significantly lower than the capacity for production - so many of the corporate players in natural gas production via fracking are seeking permits and regulations to develop production for export. That short- term cost/benefit analysis is what she focuses on.

Sister's position is based on her informed opinion (perhaps assumption) that increased natural gas production will proceed and that it will have significant environmental consequences,especially on water resources. Based on her concrete perspective, she is excited about technologies that increase the domestic use of cleaner natural gas over coal. Because she is a concrete thinker, she does not factor in the very finite realities that 1. natural gas will also soon run out (within 40-150 years,) 2. with the increase in world (and/or regional) populations and climate change water resources are becoming increasingly scarce.

I love my sister. I respect her. She is a fine musician and especially a talented fiddler. She took the all natural Christmas wreath she brought to our family vacation home to toss into the woods where it will decay instead of dumping it into a plastic bag to be picked up by the garbage men.   She recycles with almost religious fervor. And she is absolutely myoptic in some respects.