What is fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is a method of extracting fossil fuels. Producers drill into shale and other rocks deep underground, then pump water, chemicals and sand into the rocks to form cracks and release oil and gas.

By providing access to once-hard-to-reach oil, the technology has unlocked oil and gas reserves in 20 U.S. states, including Texas and Pennsylvania. It is now the most widely used method of extracting fossil fuels in the United States.

Why is fracking so controversial?

Fracking is controversial because of its environmental and health impacts. Scientists have long warned that the world must phase out fossil fuels to maintain a livable climate.

The drilling technique can also create contaminated drinking water. Many Americans were introduced to these risks through the 2010 documentary Gasland, which was made famous by a homeowner who was able to set fire to the water coming out of his kitchen faucet

Is fracking really bad for the climate?

Fracking is used to produce fossil fuels, which are responsible for the vast majority of planet-warming pollution. A 2022 report found that planned U.S. fracking projects could release 140 billion tons of planet-warming gases, tipping the world toward climate disaster.

But fracked gas has long been promoted by companies and even some environmentalists as a “bridge fuel,” or a temporary solution for the transition from coal to renewables. When burned, fracked gas emits about half the greenhouse gas emissions of coal per unit of energy, and it can also have a smaller land footprint than coal mining.

However, some studies suggest that fracked gas may be even worse for the climate than coal across its entire life cycle, from extraction to transportation to use. Importantly, fracking for gas can lead to leaks of methane, a greenhouse gas that warms the planet much faster than carbon dioxide. Research suggests that such leaks are routinely underreported.

Why was fracking such a controversial topic in Tuesday’s debate?

When it comes to fracking, politicians have a hard time deciding how to pitch the best thing to voters. Pennsylvania, where Tuesday’s debate took place, is the second-largest natural gas producer in the U.S. — and a key swing state in the presidential election.

But Pennsylvanians’ opinions on the practice are divided. A 2020 survey found that a slim majority of Pennsylvanians — 52% — actually oppose fracking. A 2021 poll by the progressive think tank Ohio River Valley Institute found that less than a third of residents said they wanted fracking in their state.

Some Americans are concerned about the loss of jobs in the fracking sector, which has been steadily declining, including in Pennsylvania.

Why is fracking such an issue in the 2024 election?

Trump is a staunch supporter of the fossil fuel industry. On Tuesday, he reminded viewers that Kamala Harris once supported a ban on fracking, something he said would devastate Pennsylvania’s and the U.S. economy.

During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris supported an end to fracking. But in July, her campaign said she no longer supports such a policy, disappointing green groups and some climate-conscious Americans.

Harris reiterated her support for continuing fracking during Tuesday’s debate, even boasting that the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a historic investment in green energy, also opened up more concessions for fracking.

She also said that while her “values ​​haven’t changed,” she now believes “we need to invest in diverse energy sources so that we reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” The prioritization of “energy independence” is often seen as a point in favor of continued fossil fuel extraction, including fracking.