The Fracking Debate: The Risks, Benefits, and Uncertainties of the Shale Revolution

Abstract

Teaching human-environment relations inevitably involves exploring politically charged topics, such as sustainable energy futures. The problem becomes even more challenging in rural community classrooms where most community members are directly or indirectly associated with energy development. Some teachers may feel lost or apprehensive to broach such subjects, but resources exist to facilitate discussion. Daniel Raimi’s (2018) The fracking debate: The risks, benefits, and uncertainties of the Shale Revolution, provides a thorough description of contemporary oil and natural gas recovery through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), the process of pumping water, sand, and chemicals into the ground to break up underlying geology and access deposits of natural gas and oil. The book takes readers through a basic introduction to fracking, followed by the debates associated with the activity. It discusses the impact of fracking on the Unites States’ goal to achieve energy independence, along with the practice’s impact on local communities and multinational markets. Raimi concludes with thoughts on the environmental volatility of shale production, the dynamic politics of fracking, and the mixed blessings that oil and gas industries bring to rural communities. The aim of this book is to provide readers a better understanding of risks, benefits, and uncertainties associated with shale technology. Raimi begins the book by presenting the big picture overview of shale development in the US. He presents a strong argument corroborated with evidence for the precautionary principle, an idea advocating governments, businesses, and individuals take measures to prevent environmental problems before they happen. Raimi recounts his journey through America’s boomtowns, gathering experience and documenting conversations with locals in these largely rural areas. In each boomtown context, he encounters people associated with the oil and gas industry. Having performed geographic research on fracking, I can relate to the range of reactions the author receives upon revealing his research on the oil and natural gas industry. For instance, when I mailed questionnaires to find out lived experiences in oil and gas development communities, some people refused to participate, as they thought I was “rocking the boat” or “stirring the pot.” One responder made known that they were suspicious of my intentions because I was an outsider in their community. Researching communities dependent upon controversial resource extraction is challenging. Daniel does a good job of navigating these thorny situations, recognizing that the debates presented in this book are a shifting target as the public decides which information sources to trust. As an international female of color, I found myself wondering how easy or difficult it would be for me to go at a bar and start a conversation with someone about oil and natural gas. Oil and gas development is fundamentally geographic, involving varying spatial patterns, resource uses, and environmental perceptions. Raimi’s book is excellent for novices, providing them with a foundation to stay current with the politics of energy and the latest human impacts on regional environments. Readers will notice that fracking takes place differently across the country, depending on the area’s geology, types of oil and gas wells, and policies at the state and local levels. These complex interactions yield regionally distinctive, volatile, and dynamic areas. Raimi reiterates that each rural community is unique in its relation to the oil and gas industry, which reminds me of a common saying among geographers, “If you see one rural community, you’ve seen one rural community” (Savage et al. 2018) This book is a narrative account of Raimi’s field experience. As a geographer, I wish the book provided more maps and photos of the places visited by the author. One cautionary note I would add for geography educators is that the book’s examples are limited to a regional context, which may or may not reflect international trends. Moreover, Raimi presents shale development story until 2018, which means geographers may need to consult additional sources to piece together the larger story. Even then, years from now, it will be interesting to revisit Raimi’s book to see how the American fracking debate has changed.