Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is the process of injecting liquid under high pressure into underground geologic formations to enhance extraction of oil and/or natural gas. As applied to natural gas extraction, fracking has spawned a major increase in supply, resulting in significant fuel price reductions. In turn, these reduced prices, when coupled with environmental regulatory pressures, have resulted in conversion of many coal-fired power plants (and other combustion units) to natural gas-firing. The growth of fracking practices has been accompanied by environmental influences on air and water quality. Many such influences have been very positive: for example, reduced emissions of SO2 and particulates. Other influences have been more problematic such as the safe disposal of spent fracking fluids. Fracking has alternatively been canonized as the key to phasing out coal combustion and demonized as competition for “alternative” energy adoption. This paper examines the arguments and evidence concerning the air quality attributes of natural gas fracking, using data from a variety of sources. Although emphasizing air quality issues related to fracking, the paper also notes concerns for potential water quality deterioration. Air quality issues include both localized effects near drilling sites and more widespread effects related to combustion sources. The role of natural gas-based power in providing backup for non-combustion power generation is discussed.
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