In a recent interview, Vice President Harris indicated her shift in stance regarding fracking, stating she would not support a ban on this contentious process if she were elected president. This marks a notable change from her previous position during her initial presidential campaign.
Harris explained her evolution on the issue, emphasizing that it’s possible to nurture a clean energy economy while allowing fracking to continue. “What I have seen is that we can grow, and we can increase a clean energy economy without banning fracking,” she stated during her discussion.
Previously, in 2019, Harris had publicly advocated for a total ban on fracking. However, after joining President Biden’s campaign, she aligned herself with his opposition to such measures. Despite comprehensive initiatives to combat climate change from the Biden administration, the country has also seen significant oil production growth during this period.
This topic is gaining renewed national attention, reflecting online search trends that show increased interest in fracking — a spike reminiscent of the weeks leading up to the last presidential election.
Fracking remains a pivotal issue for voters in key swing states like Pennsylvania, where the industry has contributed significantly to industrial and economic growth in several regions.
What is fracking?
Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, involves extracting natural gas or oil from deep underground by using a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to break apart rock formations.
Why is fracking controversial?
Proponents argue that fracking has led to lower energy prices, decreased reliance on foreign oil, and job creation, significantly transforming the energy landscape toward more natural gas usage. Opponents, however, voice concerns over its environmental impacts, particularly the potential for water contamination and air quality degradation. The process is associated with methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Research over the years has documented issues related to water depletion, toxic air pollution, noise disruptions in local communities, and links to seismic activity, including minor earthquakes resulting from hydraulic fracturing and more severe quakes from wastewater disposal methods.
How prevalent is fracking in the U.S.?
In the past decade, fracking production has surged in the U.S., reaching unprecedented levels. The average oil production in the country last year peaked at 12.9 million barrels per day, with roughly two-thirds of this output derived from fracking. Similarly, natural gas production from fracking hit record numbers in 2023, reaching 81.5 billion cubic feet per day.
The Permian Basin, spanning western Texas and eastern New Mexico, accounts for a significant share of this production, with more active drilling rigs than the rest of the country combined.
