If you’ve heard about “fracking” for natural gas and oil in the United States, you’ve probably heard one of two stories:

The first is a story of clean energy and US energy independence. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal and emits less CO2, making it useful in combating climate change. As a result of increased fracking in the past several years, natural gas now represents 30% of US energy supplies. This means that less US energy is coming from coal. Additionally, producing this energy within the US will decrease dependence on foreign oil.

The second story is one of yet another dirty, unregulated industry harming people and the environment. Mismanaged wastewater, along with chemical spills and leaks, are polluting groundwater. Fracking companies do not have to disclose the hazardous, carcinogenic chemicals they are using. And fracking releases large amounts of methane and other air pollutants that negatively impact both human health and climate change.

So which of these stories is right? According to Kate Konschnik, policy director for Harvard’s Environmental Law program, neither represents the whole truth. Konschnik believes natural gas is an important part of the US energy sector, but also recognizes that acquiring it poses real risks that must be managed. It is, Konschnik says, “a place where law needs to play catch-up, where law doesn’t quite know how to be applied.” Despite how contentious the topic of fracking has become, Konschnik believes a middle ground position, best found through well-made and managed laws, is both possible and necessary.

Continue reading Kate Konschnik: Fracking’s Middle Ground Warrior →